Computed Tomography (CT) Abdominal Scan for Children

What’s a CT stomach scan for kids?

A CT stomach scan is a kind of imaging take a look at. It makes use of a collection of X-rays and a pc to create detailed photos of the within of the physique. A CT scan exhibits extra element than a daily X-ray.

A CT scan of the stomach (stomach) can diagnose stomach issues in infants and youngsters. It is a noninvasive medical take a look at. This implies it is not performed with an incision or software that goes inside your kid’s physique.

Why may my youngster want a CT stomach scan?

Your youngster may have a CT stomach scan so the healthcare supplier can:

Discover the reason for stomach (stomach) ache by offering entry to the abdomen, liver, kidney, and spleen

Diagnose an an infection within the stomach

Diagnose digestive issues

Diagnose urinary issues

Have a look at stomach accidents

Diagnose or plan therapy for most cancers

The scan may also help diagnose issues, corresponding to:

Your youngster’s healthcare supplier might produce other causes to advise this take a look at.

What are the dangers of a CT stomach scan for a kid?

A CT scan makes use of radiation. Repeated publicity to radiation raises an individual’s danger for most cancers sooner or later. The CT scan ought to be performed with the bottom attainable radiation dose wanted for the pictures to diagnose your kid’s downside. Kids are extra delicate to radiation than adults. Because of this, a CT scan ought to solely be performed if it is important for making a prognosis. In some circumstances, an MRI or ultrasound could also be used instead of a CT scan. These exams don’t use radiation.

The advantages of a CT scan typically outweigh this danger. Discuss together with your youngster’s healthcare supplier concerning the quantity of radiation and one of the best decisions to your youngster.

Different dangers embody:

Allergic reactions. A distinction dye is usually used throughout a CT stomach scan. Some youngsters might have an allergic response, corresponding to hives, itching, or wheezing. That is extra frequent in youngsters who’re allergic to iodine or shellfish. Some of these reactions are uncommon and are not normally critical.

Response to sedation or anesthesia. Some youthful youngsters who can’t maintain nonetheless throughout a CT scan may have a short interval of anesthesia or sedation. In some youngsters, this will trigger headache, shivering, and vomiting. Ask the healthcare supplier about this danger in case your youngster must be asleep or sedated in the course of the take a look at.

Kidney injury from IV (intravenous) distinction dye. That is uncommon. It is extra possible in a toddler who already has kidney issues.

There could also be different dangers. This relies on your youngster’s well being. Speak about any issues you have got with the healthcare supplier earlier than the scan.

How do I assist my youngster prepare for a CT stomach scan?

You’ll be able to assist your youngster by getting ready them upfront. Many hospitals have folks skilled in serving to youngsters deal with their medical care or hospital expertise. These individuals are typically referred to as youngster life specialists. Verify together with your youngster’s healthcare supplier to see if youngster life packages or different comparable providers can be found to your youngster.

There are additionally issues you are able to do to assist your youngster prepare for a take a look at. How finest to do that relies on your youngster’s wants. Begin with the guidelines beneath:

Use brief and easy phrases to explain the take a look at to your youngster and why it’s being performed. Youthful youngsters are likely to have a brief consideration span, so do that shortly earlier than the take a look at. Older youngsters could be given extra time to grasp the take a look at upfront.

Inform your youngster what to anticipate within the hospital in the course of the take a look at. For example, you might speak about who will likely be giving your youngster the take a look at and what the hospital room will appear to be.

Be certain that your youngster understands which physique components will likely be concerned within the take a look at.

As finest you possibly can, describe how the take a look at will really feel. For example, in case your youngster is awake in the course of the take a look at, they could really feel some discomfort or strain if a needle is inserted. This might be when IV distinction is used. Reassure your youngster that this discomfort received’t final lengthy.

Enable your youngster to ask questions and reply these questions in truth. Your youngster might really feel nervous or afraid. They could even cry. Let your youngster know that you simply’ll be close by in the course of the take a look at.

Use play when telling your youngster concerning the take a look at, if applicable. With youthful youngsters, this will contain role-playing with a toddler’s favourite toy or object. With older youngsters, it could assist to learn books or present footage of what occurs in the course of the take a look at.

Inform the healthcare supplier:

In case your youngster ever had a response to any distinction dye

Has any implanted machine or metallic clips or pins of their physique

In case your youngster is allergic to iodine or shellfish

What prescription and over-the-counter medicines, nutritional vitamins, herbs, or different dietary supplements your youngster takes

In case your youngster has coronary heart illness, diabetes, bronchial asthma, thyroid, or kidney illness

Has had a latest sickness or an infection

Additionally be certain to:

Comply with all directions given by the healthcare supplier to organize your youngster for the take a look at.

Cease giving your youngster sure medicines or dietary supplements earlier than the take a look at, if directed.

Meals or drink could also be not allowed a number of hours earlier than the scan. See that your youngster would not eat or drink for 8 hours earlier than the take a look at if distinction dye or anesthesia will likely be used in the course of the take a look at.

See that your youngster is not carrying metallic objects, corresponding to jewellery, hair clips, or clothes with zippers. Metallic can have an effect on CT imaging.

Gown your youngster in comfy garments on the day of the take a look at.

What occurs throughout a CT stomach scan for a kid?

The CT scanner is a big machine within the form of a circle. It has a slim desk that strikes via the opening whereas X-rays are taken.

Your youngster might have a CT scan at a hospital or an outpatient facility. You could be requested to signal a consent kind that provides permission to do the process. Learn the shape rigorously and ask questions if something is just not clear.

The take a look at takes about 30 to 60 minutes. Some might take longer. You might be able to keep together with your youngster within the CT room. Or you could be requested to attend in one other space in the course of the process. In the event you keep, you will must put on a lead apron. In the event you’re pregnant or suppose you could be pregnant, speak together with your healthcare supplier first.

Throughout the process:

Your youngster lies on a slim desk that slides into the CT scanner.

Your youngster might want to lie nonetheless in the course of the scan. Motion impacts the standard of the outcomes and may even require a repeat scan. Your youngster could also be restrained or given medication to calm down (sedative) or sleep (anesthesia). The sedative is taken by mouth or given via an IV line. A nurse helps with this course of.

The technologist is close by and views your youngster via a window. In case your youngster is awake, they will converse to and listen to the technologist via a speaker contained in the scanner.

Distinction dye could also be used to enhance picture outcomes. Your youngster is given distinction dye by mouth or an IV line. If distinction dye is given via an IV line, your youngster might really feel a heat sensation when it is injected and should have a metallic style for a short while. Distinction dye could also be given as a drink. It could be combined with juice or soda to masks the style.

As soon as the scan begins, your youngster might want to lie very nonetheless always. Motion will have an effect on the standard of the pictures. At occasions, your youngster will likely be instructed to carry their breath for a number of seconds.

The scan is painless and lasts between 5 and 20 seconds. Your youngster might hear clicking, whirring, and buzzing sounds because the scanner rotates across the examination desk.

What occurs after a CT stomach scan for a kid?

As soon as the process is completed, the desk will slide out of the scanner. In case your youngster had medication to calm down or sleep, they’re going to be watched till the drugs wears off and so they’re awake once more. If an IV line was inserted, it is going to be taken out after the process is over and your youngster is awake.

If no sedation was used, your youngster can return to regular actions and food regimen instantly, except the healthcare supplier says in any other case. Distinction dye ought to move via your youngster’s physique in about 24 hours. Your youngster might must drink extra water throughout this time.

In case your youngster had sedation, they could really feel sleepy for some time. This could go away in a number of hours or a day.

Your youngster’s healthcare supplier will speak with you concerning the outcomes of the CT scan, and allow you to know if different exams are wanted.

Subsequent steps

Earlier than you conform to the take a look at or process to your youngster ensure you know:

The identify of the take a look at or process

The explanation your youngster is having the take a look at or process

What outcomes to count on and what they imply

The dangers and advantages of the take a look at or process

When and the place your youngster is to have the take a look at or process

Who will do the process and what that particular person’s {qualifications} are

What would occur in case your youngster didn’t have the take a look at or process

Any various exams or procedures to consider

When and the way you’ll get the outcomes

Who to name after the take a look at or process when you have questions or your youngster has issues

How a lot you’ll have to pay for the take a look at or process