How Do You Prepare a Child for a Scan?
The best way to prepare a child for a scan is to tell them what will happen, in simple and honest words. In an EOS scan, your child stands still for a few seconds in an open space. There is no tunnel and no injection. A parent or carer stays in the room the whole time. A little preparation at home helps a lot.
Key points
- A standing EOS scan is open, quick and pain-free.
- You can stay with your child for the whole appointment.
- At home, before the visit, use simple words that suit your child's age.
- Dress your child in comfortable clothes with no metal fastenings.
- EOS uses about 90% less radiation than a standard X-ray, around ten times less.
Children often worry about what they do not know. Your child may have been referred for a scan, or you may be thinking about scans for children at ScanAlign in London. Either way, the tips on this page will help you both feel calm and ready before you arrive.
What should you tell a child before an X-ray or scan?
Tell them the truth in short, simple sentences. Children cope better when they know what to expect. A surprise on the day is harder for them.
You could say, "A special camera will take a picture of your bones while you stand very still, like a statue."
The scan itself takes only a few seconds. The whole visit usually takes around 20 minutes, including time to settle in.
No needles, no tunnel, no loud noises. These are the things children fear most. Telling them early makes a real difference.
Practise at home if it helps. Ask your child to stand still while you count slowly to ten, with feet flat on the floor and arms relaxed. Make it a game. When they do it at the clinic, it will already feel familiar.
What should a child wear to a scan?
Loose, comfortable clothes with no metal are best. Zips, press studs, belt buckles and shiny metallic prints can show up on the images. Your child may then need to change into a gown.
Good choices are a plain cotton T-shirt, tracksuit trousers or leggings, and slip-on shoes. Leave jewellery and hair clips at home. If your child does need to change, we will give them a gown.
What are the steps to book a scan for your child?
Booking is simple. Here is what happens from start to finish.
Free video consultation
A short call with our radiographer. We find out what your child's clinician is looking for, answer your questions and confirm the scan is suitable.
Prepare at home
Use the tips on this page. Explain the scan, practise standing still and choose comfortable clothes. You can also read what to expect at an alignment assessment.
Come to the appointment
You and your child come to 19 Harley Street, London. You stay in the room while your child stands in the open scanner for a few seconds. No tunnel, no fuss.
Images sent to the referring clinician
The standing images show your child's bones, joints and alignment while they carry their real body weight. We share them with the clinician who asked for the scan, to guide the next steps.
How do you help a child with sensory needs stay still for a scan?
If your child has extra sensory needs, please tell us at the consultation stage. Our team can adjust the appointment to suit them.
- Quiet room. The EOS machine is almost silent, with no banging or buzzing.
- Familiar comfort items. Your child can bring a favourite toy or comfort blanket to hold before and after the scan.
- Flexible timing. We can book the appointment at a quieter time of day if that helps.
- You are there throughout. You stay by their side the whole time.
Read more about what makes the appointment easier for patients who feel anxious or are sensitive to sound, light or touch.
When an MRI might be needed instead. EOS shows bones, joints and alignment clearly. For soft-tissue problems such as discs, nerves or ligaments, an MRI is usually the better tool. If your child's clinician needs soft-tissue detail, they will tell you. We are always happy to talk about which type of scan is most suitable during the free consultation.
Is an EOS scan safe for children?
Yes. EOS uses about 90% less radiation than a standard X-ray, around ten times less. This lower dose matters most for growing children, because their tissues are more sensitive to radiation.
Your child also stands for the scan. This means their alignment is captured while they carry their natural body weight. Lying-down scans can let the muscles relax and hide alignment problems that only show when the body is upright. You can read more about EOS scan safety and radiation.
Not sure if an EOS scan is right for your child? Start with a free video call with our radiographer. There is no obligation.
Book a free video consultationCan a parent stay during a child's scan?
Yes, of course. At ScanAlign, standing scans for children, a parent or carer stays in the room with their child for the whole scan. We will give you a protective apron, and you can stand right next to your child to comfort them.
If your child is starting treatment, or changing the treatment they already have, it is worth getting a detailed diagnosis first. Knowing whether the cause sits in the pelvis, the legs or the spine changes what will really help.
- Explaining the scan in simple, honest words
- Practising standing still at home
- Choosing comfortable clothes with no metal
- Telling the clinic about any extra needs
- Arriving a few minutes early so your child can settle
- Surprising them on the day with no warning
- Using scary words like "machine" or "radiation"
- Promising it will "fix" something (a scan is only for diagnosis)
- Forcing them if they are very upset: talk to us first
Common questions about preparing a child for a scan
Use simple, truthful words that suit their age. For example, "A special camera will take a picture of your bones while you stand very still for a few seconds." Avoid medical terms, and tell them it does not hurt.
Yes. A parent or carer stays in the room for the whole scan. You will wear a protective apron and can stand right next to your child to keep them calm.
For children, a referral from a clinician is usually needed, to make sure the scan is suitable. If you are not sure, our free video consultation will help you work out the best next step.
The scan itself takes only a few seconds. Including time to settle in, the whole visit usually takes around 20 minutes.
Comfortable clothes with no metal fastenings. A plain cotton T-shirt with tracksuit trousers or leggings is ideal. Leave jewellery, hair clips and belts at home.
Yes. EOS uses about 90% less radiation than a standard X-ray, around ten times less. This matters most for children, because their growing tissues are more sensitive to radiation.
Practise the "statue game" at home. On the day, you will be next to your child, and our radiographer has experience working with children. If your child is very upset, we will never force the scan. We can pause, try again or rebook.
For patients travelling from abroad, the price is confirmed during the free video consultation, which carries no obligation. You can start on our book a scan for your child page.
When a child lies down, gravity is taken away and the muscles relax. This can hide alignment problems that only appear when the body is upright and carrying weight. A standing EOS scan captures the skeleton in its natural, weight-bearing position.
Of course. Your child can hold a favourite toy or comfort blanket before and after the scan. During the scan, we may ask them to put it down for a moment so it does not show on the image, but it will be right beside them.
Ready to take the next step?
In a free video consultation, you can ask questions, find out if an EOS scan is right for your child and plan your visit to London together.
Book a free video consultationWritten by Abbas Dhami (Specialist Diagnostic Radiographer)
Sources
- NHS. "Having an X-ray." nhs.uk, 2023.
- Deschênes S, et al. "EOS low-dose imaging system." European Radiology, 2010; 20(12): 2870–2878.
- The Society and College of Radiographers. "Guidance on the role of parents and carers during imaging procedures." SCoR, 2015.
This page is general information and not a diagnosis.
ScanAlign is the trading name of CoreMed Solutions Ltd and operates under The Harley Street Hospital's CQC licence.