My Doc. Advised Me to Do an MRI for My Baby

I prefer to know answers to medical situations. Knowledge to me is everything. I would be doing the MRI and even blood tests I know about. Best of luck.

I don't understand the question unless you do not trust your Dr.

Health and Safety are 2 main components to never, ever skimp on.

If my child's Dr. recommended a prodecure I would certainly research that procedure to make sure I understood everything about it and then I would follow the Dr.'s recommendations. MRI's are not invasive and can be very helpful in determining if and where an issue may exist.

Of course it is tense moments for parents because most of us want the best for our children and would want to do anything in our power to get information and help our children when needed.

I do understand your worry as I would worry as well but please, if you choose not to do this, then get a 2nd opinion and do something to determine what is going on and get a diagnosis. It would be a no brainer for me... my child would be at the next apppointment getting an MRI with me sitting in the waiting area worrying myself to pieces.

Do you trust your doctor? If you do and have so far through her care for your son I would ask any questions you may have of her and go ahead with the MRI. If you are wondering what clarification she is seeking you should ask her. My guess is that she's trying to rule out anything of a serious nature (and only she could answer what that may be) and that this is a good step.

I know this is stressful but look at it as something that will help your son, by clarifying things for his doctor who will then be better equipped to meet your son's needs.

Hugs, and God's blessings.

I totally agree with GrammaRocks.

My son had to have an MRI when he was about 6 months old. We didn't do any anesthesia - it was done at a children's hospital and we scheduled it for a time that he usually napped anyway. They gave me a very dark room to nurse him in and then after he fell asleep they helped me swaddle him so that he wouldn't move... I stayed in the room with him the whole time and he managed to sleep through it. I don't know if that is an option for your child or not since he is much older.

I would ask what they are looking for and if there is any way to diagnose without doing something requiring anesthesia. If not, and you trust the doctor, than do it. Your son won't remember - just ask if you can stay with him until they put him to sleep and be there when he wakes up. I understand how frightening it is - I have an 18 month old now.

My son has hypotonia. We did get an MRI done around 20 months old. My son did not walk until 26 months. There are sooo many different things that can cause hypotonia, the docs just want to rule stuff out. It was not an easy decision as they have to be put under to do it. But all the results came back normal, and so that was a relief. It is a very personal decision and most likely will not come back with any abnormal results, but if you dont do it, you may always wonder. Good luck, let us know what happens!

Talk to your baby's doctor if you want to know more about this recommendation: what does he hope to see, what condition does he suspect, what conditions does he want to exclude and what are the alternatives.
An MRI in a child this young requires full anesthesia so it is not the simple imaging process it would be for an older child or an adult, because the patient must lie completely still. The general anesthesia is what brings the risk with it, otherwise MRI is considered a very low risk imaging technique, even better than Xray based imaging systems, like a CT.
Again you really should ask your doctor or obtain a second opinion.
Good luck!

Keerthi:

Welcome to mamapedia!

You are stating he has been diagnosed as hypotonic...did this just recently happen or has been this going on since birth? If he meets fine skill ability but not gross motor skill - I would let the doctors do their thing! They need to find out if this is a congenital problem or an acquired problem. I would also get a second opinion.

I would be tense too. I'm not sure how you want us to help you - other than offer you support and give you their experiences. I can tell you that if the doctors want to do an MRI - let them. Let them figure out what is going on with your son and see what the problem is.

Remember to breath. You are not alone!!

Why would you not do it?

An MRI would give your doctor more information. It would verify the accuracy of the diagnosis, supply additional details, maybe make sure they aren't missing anything, etc.

I see not down side to having this done. Are you tense because you are afraid there might be something else wrong? Knowledge is power, and your doctor wants to have as much information as possible. Do it. You won't regret it.

ETA: Sorry, I didn't realize it required anesthesia. That is scarry. Our son had to have surgery at 10 months, and it's definitely on your mind. There's always a risk, but it really is very slight. I do still think the information the doctors would gain would be of great benefit to your son.

Our son had an MRI at 9mo...to figure out why his head was growing so fast...after two CT scans and still no real good view as to why we did an MRI, he was sedated...we are so glad we did the MRI because we found out what was really going on...he did fine....my husband and I had a rough time the day of...but what parent wants to go through this...but in the end he did just great!!!

If a doctor want you to get one...it is usually for a good reason...if you don't feel confident on his request you can always get a second opinion

Go get the MRI, but I'd get a 2nd opinion due to the amount of anesthetic necessary and if nothing shows up, go see Dr. Bobby Doscher at Oklahaven....she'll know....or go see her anyway.

http://www.chiropractic4kids.com/inline/inline2011-12-Win...

History about Oklahaven:
http://www.chiropractic4kids.com/history.html

aT 16 mo he should be walking do the mri