Preparing your child
Sedation and Fasting for — Your Child's PET Scan
Fasting a young child before a medical procedure is stressful. Most children can have the scan they need — and most parents can stay close by. Here is what the day actually looks like.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Bharati Devi Gorantla, Medical Oncologist, MBBS · MD · DM (Adyar, Chennai) · ECMO · MRCP SCE (UK) · Last reviewed September 2026
- Sedation is routine — Young children need it to stay still. It is usually light, and most children have no memory of it.
- The fast has rules — The exact fasting times depend on your child's age and what they last ate. The imaging centre gives you precise times when you book.
- A parent can usually stay — One parent is typically allowed to accompany the child until they are settled and through most of the day.
- Age alone does not exclude a child — The referring team makes the decision based on your child's overall health, not their age alone.
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Most children having a PET scan need sedation to stay still enough for clear images. Your child must fast beforehand — the exact times depend on their age, and the imaging centre gives these directly. One parent is usually allowed to stay until their child is settled. Confirm your specific instructions with the centre the day before.
CION offers PET-CT in Hyderabad from Rs 10,499 — among the lowest published prices in the city, with no hidden charges. Indicative price, as of September 2026.
Is my child suitable for a PET scan with sedation?
| Situation | Usually suitable — proceed with booking | Discuss with your team before booking |
|---|---|---|
| Age | All ages, including infants | — |
| Current health | Child is otherwise well on the scan day | Fever, vomiting, or active respiratory infection |
| Sedation history | No previous problems with sedation or anaesthetic | Prior adverse reaction — tell your team when you book |
| Pregnancy (teenage patients) | — | Cannot have a PET scan during pregnancy — tell the centre before the scan day |
| Medications | Most continue as normal — confirm when booking | Some affect sedation response — list everything when you book |
| Fasting ability | Child can follow the centre's fasting instructions | Medical conditions affecting fasting — discuss with your team |
What do I need to do before the scan day?
- Tell the imaging centre your child's exact weight when you book — the sedation dose is weight-based.
- Ask the centre for the fasting start time specific to your child — do not rely on general online advice, as the rules vary by age and by what the child last ate.
- List every medicine your child takes, including home remedies and supplements, and bring the list on the day.
- Plan for two adults to come — one to stay with your child, one to manage paperwork and speak with staff.
- Pack a comfort object your child knows well — it helps during recovery.
- Bring a change of clothes. Some children vomit as sedation wears off.
- Do not apply perfumed lotion, powder or hair oil on your child on the morning of the scan.
PET-CT Partner Centres
PET-CT Scan Centres in Hyderabad
CION offers PET-CT scans through 4 trusted partner PET-CT centres across Hyderabad, so you can choose the one closest to you. Call 18002028726 and we’ll guide you to the earliest available appointment.
PET-CT Centre — Punjagutta
PET-CT Centre — Himayatnagar
PET-CT Centre — Narayanaguda
These are partner diagnostic centres within the CION network. Toll-free booking: 18002028726.
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Medical Oncologist
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Dr. C. Raghavendra Reddy
MBBS(Gold Medal), DNB(General Medicine), DM(Medical Oncology)(Gold Medal)
Medical Oncologist
Dr. Bharati Devi Gorantla
MBBS, MD(General Medicine), DM(Medical Oncology)(Adyar,Chennai), ECMO, MRCP SCE(UK)
Medical Oncologist
Dr. Owais Mohammed
MBBS, MD (General Medicine), DrNB (Medical Oncology), ECMO, MRCP SCE (Medical Oncology) (UK)
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Dr. Muralidhar Muddusetty
MBBS (AIIMS), MS (Surgery) (AIIMS), DNB (Surgical Oncology), MRCS (Edinburgh)
Surgical Oncologist
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Dr. Vinay Mamidala
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Dr. Mohammed Imran
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Dr. Vajja Sandeep Kumar
MBBS, MS (General Surgery), DrNB (Surgical Oncology), FALS Oncology
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What do the medical terms on the consent form mean?
- Radiotracer (FDG)
- A mildly radioactive form of glucose injected before the scan. The body treats it like sugar. The PET camera tracks where it collects, showing areas of high activity — often where a tumour is using more energy than surrounding tissue.
- Uptake period
- The waiting period after the injection when your child must rest quietly. The radiotracer is travelling to the tissues being scanned. Movement during this time blurs the images and may mean the scan cannot be used.
- Sedation
- A medicine that makes your child deeply relaxed or lightly drowsy so they can stay still. It is not the same as a general anaesthetic. Most children have no memory of the sedation period, and the dose is calculated precisely by weight.
- Recovery
- The period after the scan when the sedation wears off. Your child is monitored at the centre and should be awake and alert before you leave. This adds time to your day — plan for it when you arrange transport.
- Nil by mouth
- Nothing to eat or drink for the period the centre specifies before the scan. Breaking the fast — even with water — usually means the scan must be rescheduled, because sedation given to a child with a full stomach carries a risk of aspiration.
Can a parent stay with the child during the scan?
One parent or guardian is usually allowed to accompany the child from the injection point through to the scan suite. Confirm the exact policy with the imaging centre when you call, as it can vary by location.
You will be asked to step out of the scanner room itself during image acquisition. The sedation team stays with your child throughout. If you are pregnant, you cannot enter the scan area or the recovery area while the radiotracer is active — arrange for a second adult to attend.
After the scan, you can be with your child in the recovery area while the sedation wears off. Do not plan to rush away. Most families spend longer at the centre than they expected, and building in that time makes the day easier.
What else do parents ask before the scan?
Why does my child need sedation when adults do not?
A PET scan requires the patient to lie completely still for an extended period — any movement blurs the images and can make them unreadable. Adults can follow the instruction and hold still. Young children cannot, and it is not reasonable to expect them to. Sedation removes the distress for the child and ensures the images are usable. It also means the scan does not have to be repeated because of movement artefact, which would mean another dose of radiotracer and another day at the centre.
What if my child accidentally eats or drinks something during the fast?
Call the imaging centre immediately. Do not arrive for the scan without telling them. Depending on what was consumed and how close to the appointment it was, the scan may need to be rescheduled. This is not a reason to panic — it happens, and the centre handles it. Proceeding with sedation in a child who has eaten is a safety issue, so the rescheduling delay is the right outcome. The centre will advise on your next steps and the earliest available appointment.
Is the radiation from the scan dangerous for a young child?
Children receive a small radiation dose from the radiotracer. The dose is adjusted for the child's weight and kept as low as possible while still producing a readable scan. The decision to request a PET scan in a child is made by the referring oncologist when the information it provides outweighs the small risk from the radiation dose. If you have concerns, ask the referring doctor to explain specifically why the scan was recommended and what alternative imaging would provide less information.
How long will we be at the centre altogether?
Longer than most families expect. The radiotracer is injected, then there is a waiting period when your child must rest quietly while it is absorbed. After that, the scan itself takes time to acquire. After the scan, your child needs to recover from the sedation before you leave. Allow for most of the day and do not book anything time-sensitive afterwards. The centre can give you a more specific estimate when you confirm the appointment.
Can my child take their regular medicines on the morning of the scan?
Some can and some cannot. This is one of the most important questions to ask when you book, because the answer depends on the specific medicine and the sedation being used. Bring a full list of everything your child takes, including vitamins, Ayurvedic preparations and any herbal remedies. Do not assume that over-the-counter medicines are safe to give without asking — some interact with sedation agents or affect how the scan reads.
My child is still breastfeeding — do I need to do anything differently?
Yes. You will need to express and store breast milk in advance to feed your child after the scan, and avoid breastfeeding directly for a period after the radiotracer is given. The imaging centre will give you the exact guidance when you book. Tell them when you book so they can walk you through the preparation in detail. This is manageable with planning — the centre handles breastfeeding families regularly and the team is familiar with the process.
PET-CT at CION starts from Rs 10,499 — among the lowest published prices in Hyderabad — across 4 partner centres in Banjara Hills, Punjagutta, Himayatnagar and Narayanaguda. Indicative price, as of September 2026.
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- Sedation and Fasting for a Child's PET Scan
Contrast, Cannula & Procedure Safety
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Preparing for Your Scan
- A Printable PET-CT Preparation Card
- Can I Drink Water Before a PET-CT Scan?
- Can I Have a PET-CT Scan During My Period?
- Can I Take My Regular Medicines Before a PET-CT Scan?
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- Fasting Before a PET-CT Scan: How Long and Why
- How to Prepare for a PET-CT Scan: The Complete Checklist
- Preparing a Very Elderly or Frail Person for a PET-CT
- Preparing a Wheelchair-Bound or Bedridden Patient
- Preparing for a PSMA, DOTATATE or FAPI PET-CT
- Should I Avoid Exercise Before a PET-CT Scan?
- Smoking, Alcohol and Caffeine Before a PET-CT Scan
- What Happens If You Break the Fast by Mistake?
- What to Carry to Your PET-CT Appointment
- What to Eat the Day Before a PET-CT Scan
- What to Wear to a PET-CT Scan
- Why Your Kidney Function Test Is Needed Before a PET-CT
Radiation Safety & After-Scan Precautions
- Are You Radioactive After a PET-CT Scan?
- Being Around Pregnant Women After a PET-CT Scan
- Can I Hold My Child or Grandchild After a PET-CT Scan?
- Can a PET-CT Scan Cause Cancer?
- Cumulative Radiation From Repeated Scans
- Do You Need Precautions After a PSMA or DOTATATE Scan?
- Do You Need Separate Utensils or a Separate Toilet After a PET-CT?
- How Long Does the Tracer Stay in Your Body?
- How Long Should You Avoid Close Contact After a PET-CT?
- How Many PET-CT Scans Are Safe in a Year?
- How Much Radiation Is in a PET-CT Scan?
- Is PET-CT Radiation Different From Radiotherapy?
- Is the Radiation From a PET-CT Scan Dangerous?
- PET-CT Radiation Compared With CT, X-Ray and Natural Background
- Radiation Safety at Home After Your Scan: A Family Checklist
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Scan Day: What Actually Happens
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- What Happens If the Scan Cannot Be Completed?
- What If You Cannot Lie Still or Have Tremors?
- What to Expect Immediately After the Scan
- Why Was My Scan Repeated or Extended on the Day?
- Why You Have to Wait an Hour After the Injection
- Your PET-CT Scan Day: What Happens, Step by Step
Your next step
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Common questions
Frequently asked questions
What can my child eat and drink after the scan?
Normal food and drink can usually resume once your child is awake, alert and able to swallow safely — the recovery nurse will tell you when it is safe. Start with small amounts of clear fluid before offering food, particularly if your child tends to feel nauseous after sedation. If your child vomits after the first attempt, wait a little longer before trying again. Keeping your child well hydrated after the scan helps the radiotracer clear from the body naturally.
My child has never had sedation before — how will I know if there is a problem?
The team monitoring your child is trained to identify and manage reactions to sedation. Before the scan, tell the centre about any family history of problems with anaesthetic or sedation, any known allergies, and any current medications. These details allow the team to plan the safest approach. Most children with no prior sedation history have no problems — the reason for careful pre-procedure questioning is to identify the minority who need extra precautions, not because a bad outcome is expected.
Can a PET scan be done on a very young baby?
Yes, PET scans are performed in infants when the clinical question justifies it. The radiotracer dose is adjusted for the baby's weight. Very young infants may need a different approach to sedation, and the imaging centre will discuss this when you book. The decision to scan a young infant is made by the referring paediatric oncologist, who weighs the information the scan provides against the radiation dose and the risks of sedation for that particular child.
Will my child be radioactive after the scan? Is it safe to be around other people?
A small amount of radioactivity remains for a few hours as the radiotracer clears from the body. The imaging centre will give you specific guidance — typically, close prolonged contact with pregnant women or very young children is limited for a short window after the scan. Normal family life resumes quickly. Do not let this concern stop you attending the scan; the guidance given on the day is straightforward, and the centre will explain it clearly before you leave.
My child has autism and becomes very distressed in unfamiliar environments — will sedation still work?
Tell the imaging centre when you book — this is important preparation information, not a barrier to the scan. Some children benefit from a familiarisation visit before the scan day. The sedation is given through an intravenous line after a numbing cream is applied to the skin, which reduces distress at that step. Bringing a familiar comfort object and keeping the day's plan simple all help. The centre will work with you on your child's specific needs — this is not an unusual request.
How soon will we get the scan results?
Results go to your referring oncologist once the scan is reported, and the timing depends on the centre and the clinical urgency — ask the referring doctor at your next appointment rather than expecting the imaging centre to call you directly. If the scan is clinically urgent, the referring team will already have communicated this when requesting it, and faster follow-up will already be planned. Write down when to expect your next appointment before you leave the centre.