How do x rays work for kids

The guardian will be asked to wear a lead apron. The x-ray technologist will position the child, and then walk behind a window or into the next room to activate the x-ray machine. The child must remain still to reduce the possibility of blurring the image.

Older children will be asked to hold their breath and stay still for a few seconds during the x-ray. Infants may need assistance to keep still. When the examination is complete, the technologist may ask you to wait until the radiologist confirms they have all the necessary images. The entire x-ray exam, from positioning to obtaining and verifying the images, is usually completed within 15 minutes. The actual exposure to radiation is usually less than a second. Procedures differ for examining the upper and lower intestinal tracts.

Children may experience discomfort from the cool temperature in the exam room or the hardness of the x-ray table. They may find that the positions they need to hold are uncomfortable or painful, especially if they have an injury.

The technologist will help your child find the most comfortable position possible to ensure the best quality images are captured. Generally, after an x-ray exam, your child can return to their normal activities.

If your child received some form of sedation for the exam, you and your child will stay in the department for a recovery period. You will also be given instructions on limiting any activity for the day. A radiologist , a doctor trained to supervise and interpret radiology examinations, will analyze the images. The radiologist will send a signed report to your primary care or referring physician who will discuss the results with you.

You may need a follow-up exam. If so, your doctor will explain why. Sometimes a follow-up exam further evaluates a potential issue with more views or a special imaging technique. It may also see if there has been any change in an issue over time. Follow-up exams are often the best way to see if treatment is working or if a problem needs attention. Doctors take special care during x-ray exams to use the lowest radiation dose possible while producing the best images for evaluation.

National and international radiology protection organizations continually review and update the technique standards radiology professionals use.

Modern x-ray systems minimize stray scatter radiation by using controlled x-ray beams and dose control methods. This ensures that the areas of your body not being imaged receive minimal radiation exposure. X-ray exams are a useful first step in the imaging workup. Further imaging exams may be necessary to clarify the results or to look for abnormalities not visible on the x-ray.

Working together, your primary care physician or pediatrician and the radiologist will decide which type of exam is best for your child. Please type your comment or suggestion into the text box below. Note: we are unable to answer specific questions or offer individual medical advice or opinions.

Some imaging tests and treatments have special pediatric considerations. The teddy bear denotes child-specific content. Please contact your physician with specific medical questions or for a referral to a radiologist or other physician. To locate a medical imaging or radiation oncology provider in your community, you can search the ACR-accredited facilities database.

This website does not provide cost information. The costs for specific medical imaging tests, treatments and procedures may vary by geographic region. Web page review process: This Web page is reviewed regularly by a physician with expertise in the medical area presented and is further reviewed by committees from the Radiological Society of North America RSNA and the American College of Radiology ACR , comprising physicians with expertise in several radiologic areas.

Outside links: For the convenience of our users, RadiologyInfo. Toggle navigation. What is a pediatric x-ray? What are some common uses of the procedure? How should we prepare for the x-ray exam? What does the x-ray equipment look like? How does the procedure work? How is the procedure performed? What will my child experience during and after the procedure? Who interprets the results and how do we get them? What are the benefits vs. What are the limitations of pediatric x-ray?

Radiographers use x-ray images in the operating theatre to help guide the surgeons. CT scans use lots of x-ray pictures to create fantastic 3D images of the body. Having too many x-ray scans can be dangerous. They can damage the cells in your body which is why the radiographer leaves the room while you get your x-ray done.

Sometimes the damage to cells is a good thing; a treatment called radiotherapy uses x-rays to kill bad cells like cancer cells. X-rays were discovered in November by German physicist Wilhelm Roentgen — by accident! He was doing an experiment and was surprised when a screen on the other side of the lab glowed. Wilhelm worked out that some invisible rays were causing it but had no idea what they were. Read more: Curious Kids: what started the Big Bang? Hello, curious kids! Ask an adult to send your question to us.

Drag a word to its definition. You have answered 0 of 3 questions correctly and your score is:. Want to add a little wonder to your website? Help spread the wonder of families learning together. We sent you SMS, for complete subscription please reply. Follow Twitter Instagram Facebook. How does an X-ray work? Who discovered the X-ray? How do X-rays help doctors? Tags: See All Tags electromagnetic radiation , electron , fluorescent , penicillin , physicist , veterinarian , wavelength , X-ray.

Wonder What's Next? Try It Out Find an adult friend or family member to help you with these activities: Have you ever had an x-ray? Read about what the experience is like! Then, write a paragraph for a friend that explains what they should expect. Should they be nervous? What will happen during the procedure?

Have you ever heard of a superhero with x-ray vision? What special superpower would you want to have? Write a story in which you become a superhero. What are your powers?

Do you have a sidekick? How about a villain? Tell all about your adventures! NASA has even more cool information about x-rays. Read more about these special types of light. Then, talk about what you've learned today with a friend or family member.

Did you get it? Test your knowledge. What are you wondering? Wonder Words penicillin electrons fluorescent pun wavelength electromagnetic radiation vacuum fluorescent Take the Wonder Word Challenge.

Join the Discussion. Mar 12, Hi jeremy, we ask that you cite the article author as Wonderopolis. What happens to the x-ray waves that have been transmitted trough the human body? Where do they go? Dec 10, Mariam Oct 13, Who is the author of this article and when was it published? I really need that information because I'm doing a research project and need to create MLA citations.

Oct 21, So x-rays' radiation travels through the air to reach the skin and passes through the soft tissues and organs then reach the bones which absorb the energy causing the x-ray to capture an image of the bones??

Sep 23, A little gamer Dec 3, Jan 9, You're welcome, Wonder Friend! Lab Finder Jul 26, This is a great article about x-ray and how does it work! If you to get tested and book an x-ray test online, just visit labfinder. Aug 6, Maryn Apr 9, Apr 11, Ash Mar 20, So I get that x-rays can pass through the body, but how? Mar 20, Apr 6, The person who discovered the X-ray can be found in paragraphs "In , German physicist Wilhelm Roentgen made an important discovery while experimenting with electron beams in a special tube.

Adam Apr 18, Apr 19, Sorry to hear that, Adam. What's on your mind? James Mar 4, I'm sorry, but there is a mistake in your article. I'm a teacher and discovered students accessing your site for a project on X-rays, but you're providing incorrect information. X-Rays are a form of light energy , but electrons are matter they have mass. Your article says that an X-ray machine "creates a beam of electrons called X-ray photons".

A cathode ray beam of electrons is used INSIDE the machine, but the X-rays are created when the cathode ray hits a metal plate which absorbs the energy of the electrons, and then gives off high energy light: X-rays. There is NOT a beam of electrons being directed at a person when they're getting an x-ray.

The x-ray beam is ONLY a form of light that our eyes can't see. Please correct this! Mar 9, Katy Feb 3, How can I read an xray? I just had a CT for my sinus infection and I saw the image but didn't really understand the locations of the structure.

Feb 6, Nov 2, FaZeshoy Oct 25, Oct 26, They're a great invention, FaZeshoy! Lee Oct 25, Hello there, Lee! Oct 25, Welcome back, jovanni! Oct 24, Nobody cares that you're a youtuber. Thank you for sharing vanoss!