Correct Dose for Kids

Many types of pediatric imaging use ionizing radiation. Research shows that adult-sized doses of radiation aren’t needed to take high-quality images in children. Norton Children’s Radiology tries to keep the dose as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA), the medical standard, without compromising the image quality needed to make a diagnosis.

Technology and Treatment Sized for Kids

Using equipment and procedures designed “Just for Kids” allows our radiologists to keep radiation exposure low while capturing high-quality images to help your child’s care team develop the best treatment plan.

Our radiography equipment is state-of-the-art and designed or adapted for kids. We maintain our equipment to keep radiation exposure as low as reasonably possible. We look for ways to improve our practices for certain conditions so that we can limit the amount of radiation we use.

Sometimes a doctor can make a diagnosis from images that don’t use radiation, such as ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This depends on the type of condition. Pediatric radiologists can help decide which tests are safest for the child’s age and size.

Staff and Settings That Helps Kids Feel Safe

Our staff includes radiology nurses, technologists and support staff with specialized training to work with kids of all ages. Our staff can keep children safe, calm and comfortable during imaging tests — and we encourage parents to be with their child whenever possible.

Getting medical tests can be scary, no matter your age. Our staff takes the time needed to help children and parents feel at ease. Our exam rooms are designed with children in mind; kid-friendly and soothing images and sounds can help them feel more comfortable.

The Norton Children’s Difference

Families have access to a wide range of specialties through Norton Children’s extensive network of primary and specialty care practices. Serves are available at Norton Children’s Hospital (the region’s only full-service, free-standing pediatric hospital), Norton Children’s Medical Center (the only pediatric outpatient center of its type in Kentucky) and Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital in St. Matthews (offering pediatric emergency care, a pediatric surgery center, inpatient care and an expanded neonatal intensive care unit).

Norton Children’s Medical Center has a pediatric diagnostic imaging center featuring a full complement of services, including MRI, computed tomography (CT), X-ray, fluoroscopy and ultrasound services, along with a full-service laboratory.

Norton Children’s Radiology offers:

• Fellowship-trained pediatric radiologists specially trained to review and interpret images
• Pediatric anesthesiologists available to provide sedatives or anesthesia before tests that may be difficult for some children to hold still for
• Age-appropriate care to help reduce anxiety, including music, lighting, videos and other distractions.
• Advanced imaging technology, including:
  • Two MRIs and one 3T MRI
  • Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scanner
  • 256-slice CT scanner
  • Biplane interventional suite
  • After-hours teleradiology support