• The child can have no food, formula or milk for 8 hours prior to sedation.
• The child can have breast milk until 4 hours prior to sedation.
• The child can have clear liquids (water, apple juice, plain Jell-O, pedialyte, popsicles) until 2 hours prior to sedation.

For a DMSA study, you will be asked to arive at least 2 hours prior to the scan.  When you arrive, your child will have an IV placed for administration of the radioisotope (which allows the kidneys to be seen).  You will then have some free time, and will be given a specific time to return to radiology.  If you child will be sedated for the exam, the IV may stay in place, bu will be securly wrapped.  Dietary restrictions for sedation must be continued during this waiting time.  When you return to radiology, if you child is being sedated, the nurse and physician will finish and exam (if not don earlier) and you child will be given medication that will make him or her sleepy.  Once asleep, the child will be wrapped in a papoose to help maintain the desired position for the scan. Children under 6 months, who are not being sedated, will also be wrapped in a papoose.  When time for the scan, all children will be positioned laying flat on the scan table and pictures will be taken for about 1 hour.  Older children are encouraged to bring their favorite DVD or video to watch during the scan.

Scan time:  2:00 p.m.
Sedation time:  1:00 p.m.
Arrival time:  12:00 p.m.
No clear liquids after:  11:00 a.m.
No breast milk after:  9:00 a.m.
No food, formula or milk after:  5:00 a.m.

Additional Information

If you have any questions about how to talk about this procedure with your child, please call Child Life at (410)955-9652 (extension 5).  For any other questions or concerns, please contact radiology scheduling at (410)955-4149. They will connect you with a member of the radiology nursing staff.