Children's X-Ray and Scans in Sharjah
Medically reviewed by Dar Al Kamal Team
What is paediatric imaging?
Paediatric imaging means scans and X-rays planned around a child. The examinations are the same families of test used for adults, but the choice of test, the way it is carried out and the way the pictures are read all change with age. A newborn's hips, a toddler's bones and a teenager's knee each look different on a scan, and the radiologist reading the images takes that stage of growth into account.
At Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah, children's imaging is performed within the Radiology department and reported by a radiologist. The guiding principle is simple: use the gentlest test that answers your child's doctor's question. That usually means ultrasound first where it can give the answer, because it is painless, quick to repeat and uses no radiation.
Who needs it
Children's imaging is arranged by the doctor caring for your child, most often a pediatrician in Pediatrics and Neonatology, an orthopedic doctor, or the emergency team. The most common reasons are:
| Your child's situation | Test usually chosen first |
|---|---|
| Tummy pain, including suspected appendicitis | Ultrasound scan |
| A young baby with a hip check that needs a closer look | Hip ultrasound |
| A kidney or urine infection, especially in a young child | Kidney and bladder ultrasound |
| A suspected broken bone after a fall | X-ray |
| A cough with fever where a chest infection is suspected | Chest X-ray |
| Questions about the brain or spine | MRI scan |
| A lump in the neck or elsewhere under the skin | Ultrasound scan |
A baby's hips are checked with ultrasound because in the first months the hip joint is still mostly soft cartilage, which ultrasound shows clearly and an X-ray shows poorly. This is the standard way to look for developmental dysplasia of the hip, a condition in which the ball of the hip sits loosely in its socket.
After a urine infection, a kidney ultrasound looks at the size and shape of the kidneys and bladder. Where the scan raises a question, follow-up may involve the pediatric urology service.
What happens
The radiographer or radiologist introduces themselves to you and your child and explains what will happen in words your child can follow. A parent can usually stay in the room throughout. For an X-ray, the parent staying wears a protective apron and may be asked to help hold your child's arm or leg still for a moment.
Children's bones contain growth plates, soft areas near the ends of bones where growth happens. On an X-ray, a growth plate can look like a crack, and a small fracture near one can be hard to see. For this reason the radiographer sometimes takes a picture of the other arm or leg for comparison, which helps the radiologist tell normal growth from injury.
For an ultrasound, warm gel goes on the skin and a smooth probe glides over it. Babies can often be fed or cuddled during the scan, which keeps them calm and still. Older children can watch the screen.
For a CT scan, which is used when the answer changes your child's care, such as after a significant head injury, the settings are adjusted to your child's size to keep the radiation dose as low as the question allows. MRI uses no radiation but takes longer and asks your child to lie very still in a noisy tunnel. If a young child may find this hard, the child's doctor and the radiology team discuss the options with you in advance.
Preparing for it
- Explain simply and honestly. Tell your child what they will see and feel: a camera that takes a picture, a cool gel, a noisy tunnel. Children cope better with a short, truthful explanation than with a surprise.
- Bring comfort. A favourite toy, blanket, dummy or a tablet with headphones helps during an ultrasound. For babies, bring a feed.
- Follow the preparation you are given. Some tummy scans need a few hours without food, and some bladder scans need a full bladder, which you can help with by giving a drink beforehand as advised.
- Dress for ease. Clothing without metal poppers or zips over the area saves changing.
- Bring earlier scans and reports, including those from other hospitals or countries. Many families in the UAE have children's records from abroad, and comparing images helps the radiologist.
- Tell the team if you, as the parent staying in the room, are or might be pregnant, so another adult can stay for an X-ray instead.
Afterwards
Your child can go straight back to normal activities, school and play. The radiologist reviews the images and the report goes to your child's doctor, who explains the result and any next step.
Contact your child's doctor if the symptoms that led to the scan get worse or new symptoms appear while you are waiting for the result. Go to the emergency department straight away if your child has severe tummy pain, repeated vomiting, difficulty breathing, or drowsiness or vomiting after a head injury. The children's emergency service explains what happens when you arrive.
Cost and insurance
Most UAE health insurance plans cover X-rays and ultrasound scans for children when a doctor requests them for symptoms. MRI and CT scans usually need pre-approval, so ask your child's doctor to start the request early. Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can help you confirm your child's cover on 06 599 7777.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the risks of X-rays and scans for children?
Ultrasound and MRI use no ionising radiation and have no known long-term risk for children. X-rays use a small dose, and CT uses more, which matters because children's growing tissues are more sensitive to radiation. For this reason, X-ray and CT are used only when the result changes care, and ultrasound or MRI is chosen when either answers the same question.
Can I stay with my child during the scan?
A parent can usually stay with a child during an X-ray or ultrasound at Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah, wearing a protective apron for an X-ray. A parent who is or might be pregnant should tell the team, so another adult can stay during an X-ray instead.
Why does my baby need a hip ultrasound?
A hip ultrasound is used in young babies because their hip joints are still mostly cartilage, which ultrasound shows clearly and X-ray shows poorly. It is the standard test when a baby's hip examination raises a question, or when there are risk factors such as a breech position late in pregnancy or a family history of hip problems.
Why was an X-ray taken of my child's other arm or leg?
An X-ray of the uninjured side is sometimes taken because children's bones have growth plates that can look like a crack or hide a small fracture. Comparing both sides helps the radiologist tell normal growth from an injury.
Will my child need to be still for a long time?
An X-ray takes only moments and an ultrasound usually takes a short time, with cuddles, feeding or a screen to help. An MRI takes longer and needs your child to lie very still. If this may be difficult, your child's doctor and the radiology team discuss the options with you before the day.
Can a scan show appendicitis in a child?
An ultrasound scan can often show an inflamed appendix in a child and is usually the first test chosen, because it uses no radiation. The appendix is sometimes hidden by bowel gas, so the result is always read together with the doctor's examination, and further tests or observation may be needed.
Are children's scans covered by insurance in the UAE?
Most UAE insurance plans cover children's X-rays and ultrasound scans requested by a doctor for symptoms, while MRI and CT scans usually need pre-approval. Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can help you confirm your child's cover on 06 599 7777.
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