Does Anyone Know Procedure for a 1Yr Old "Chest Xray?"

Updated on February 19, 2010
N.G. asks from Antelope, OR
13 answers

My son may need an xray & I was just curious if its the same as far as "Laying down, etc..." or is different for kids? Do they have a different machine? Are they sitting up on bottom??

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H.D.

answers from San Francisco on

HI, my son had X-rays as a 2 year old. They have a straight jacket to hold the child down. Same machine as adults I think. There was a lot of crying. Not fun.

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K.W.

answers from Stockton on

My son had to have a chest x-ray and they had him stand up against a wall. I wore one of the heavy aprons and held him with my arm if he tried to wiggle or move. It was so fast he barely had time to think about moving which was nice.

Good luck, it's not that bad.

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C.A.

answers from San Francisco on

My daughter has had two chest xrays (both for bronchitis type issues) and both she laid on her back under the machine. My husband or I stayed with her and the other one went behind the glass. It took about 30 seconds for the whole thing to be done. It sounds like it may depend on what it's for to determine how they will do it.
Best of luck!

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J.K.

answers from Philadelphia on

I'm lucky to live near AI duPont Hospital for Children in Delaware and they have some great video links for various tests/procedures for children. The videos are kid centered, so it has been helpful to us to show our 4 year old what will happen before he gets to the hospital. If you can, really try to go to a children's hospital where they are more understanding of the anxiety and fear that children have (and parents too!).
You can see the videos at:
http://kidshealth.org/kid/feel_better/things/med_videos_l...

Good luck!

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C.S.

answers from Victoria on

I'm an x-ray tech. & it depends on the imaging center. Best exam can be done a few different ways. 1. using a device called a pig-o-stat it looks like a weird contraption, but baby will straddle a seat and arms will be lifted above head. Plastic panels are brought up against child to hold arms up & strapped preventing baby from moving. Child usually begins to cry thus allowing images to be taken with lungs inflated well. Parents usually are not fans of this, but it does provide best images the first time thus reducing radiation dose & has built in radiation shields. Hospitals are usually only ones to have these pricey units and lots of techs don't use because they take time to instruct parents etc... second best is to have child stand on stool up facing against imaging device with hands out from body. Hard to get child to hold still & you obviously can't get them to take a deep breath. It is harder to shield as well. If using the imaging device, then most likely imae is digital but it does increase radiation dose a bit. Older option prior to digital age is to have child sit on table & place film between mom & child. Usually have to repeat due to motion & thus if you don't get it on the first image, then you increase dose. Again not usually catching child with large breath. any metal clothing will be removed & usuall undress from neck down but leave diaper on. If diaper runs high on child, then it may need to come off too. Usually not though. Usually take one picture from back to front then one from side to side. Hope this helps....

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K.D.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi,
When my son was a little more than one year old (over 15 years ago) he had a chest x-Ray. They put him in a plastic brace kind of thing in only a diaper. He was standing up in this brace thing on the x-Ray table. The brace thing was connected to something that held him in place. No worries. He cried. But the technician said that was okay because when he gasped in between cries they took the x-rays. How do you tell a one year old to hold his breath while they do the x-Ray? Everything turned out okay. I hope all goes well with your baby.

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S.T.

answers from Kansas City on

my daughter had to sit in this contraption thing and she hated it I got to stay with her till they pushed the button.

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S.K.

answers from Sacramento on

my two year old had a chest xray. He had to sit up against this plate looking thing.

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A.F.

answers from St. Cloud on

The post by the x-ray tech is the way that they did an x-ray for my daughter. It looked like an ancient torture device. Looking back, I would have only allowed it if there were no other options. It was a terrible experience!

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R.R.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi Ninenine,
My daughter has been having xrays since she was 2 months old. They strapped her down (not as scary as it sounds) to the table so that she couldn't move since she was too young to understand "don't move." She was in the laying down position then they pulled the machine over her and did the scan. It took about 30 seconds and I was able to be there with her and hold her hand. Of course she was upset, but she got over it very quickly once she was let out of the straps. Good luck with everything!

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S.P.

answers from Philadelphia on

It depends on where you have the x-ray done. Children's facilities will have devices to position your child exactly how they need them. My daughter was placed in a clear tube for her x-ray in which she needed to be in an upright position. She was also laying on the table for the other. She needed to be held in some way for both of the views, her arms were held up over her head. She hated it, no lasting trauma though. Took 5 minutes. I think my son's were the exact same procedure too.

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E.W.

answers from Bakersfield on

My son had an xray of his lower spine at a month or so of age. They actually had a large, flat table that he lay on, and I had to help hold him in place. Not sure if it is similar for a one year old, since they are generally more mobile, or if chest xrays are different.

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A.A.

answers from San Francisco on

ususally the chest xrays are done in a clear plastic jacket with the child's arms up against the ears and the toddler is screaming...

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