Preparation for Pediatric Anesthesia for Imaging Exam

Children under 10 require special consideration.

Please call (310) 423-8000 and press 1 to ask for specific instructions, including sedation requirements.

What and when can my child eat and drink the night before imaging studies and/or procedures?

Eating and drinking is not allowed for certain periods of time before imaging studies and/or procedures that require the administration of anesthesia. The guidelines for eating and drinking before anesthesia are different according to the age of your child. It is important for you to know the scheduled time of your child's imaging study and/or procedure, and to strictly follow these guidelines accordingly. If you do not follow these guidelines carefully, the pediatric anesthesiologist may cancel the imaging study and/or procedure. The following are the guidelines:

Newborns through Age 6 Months:

  • Do not give your child any solid foods for at least 8 hours before the time of imaging. Solid foods include baby food and cereal mixed with formula.
  • Give the last bottle of infant formula so that it is finished at least 6 hours before the time of imaging.
  • Plan the last breast-feeding so that it is finished at least 4 hours before the time of imaging.
  • You may give clear liquids up to 2 hours before the time of imaging. Clear liquids include infant electrolyte solutions (such as PedialyteŽ), apple juice, and sugar water.
  • Do not give your child anything to drink during the 2 hours prior to imaging.
Patients Age 6 Months through 12 Years:
  • Do not give your child any solid foods including baby food at least 8 hours before the time of imaging. Also, do not give chewing gum, candy, milk, orange juice, or carbonated beverages (such as soda or tonic water).
  • If your child still drinks infant formula, give the last bottle so that it is finished at least 6 hours before the time of imaging.
  • If your child still breast-feeds, plan the last breast-feeding so that it is finished at least 4 hours before the time of imaging.
  • You may give clear liquids up to 2 hours before the time of imaging. Clear liquids include infant electrolyte solutions (such as PedialyteŽ), apple juice, sugar water, or anything you can read a newspaper through, except carbonated beverages.
  • Do not give your child anything to drink during the 2 hours prior to imaging.

Patients 12 Years and Older:

  • Do not give your child any solid foods for at least 8 hours before the time of imaging. Also, do not give chewing gum, candy, milk, orange juice, or carbonated beverages (such as soda or tonic water).
  • You may give clear liquids up to 2 hours before the time of imaging. Examples of clear liquids include apple juice, sugar water, or anything you can read newspaper through except carbonated beverages.
  • Do not give your child anything to drink during the 2 hours prior to imaging.