Clinical safety of 3-T brain magnetic resonance imaging in newborns

Background The effects and potential hazards of brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 3 T in newborns are debated. Objective Assess the impact of 3-T MRI in newborns on body temperature and physiological parameters. Material and methods Forty-nine newborns, born preterm and at term, underwent 3-T brain MRI at term-corrected age. Rectal and skin temperature, oxygen saturation and heart rate were recorded before, during and after the scan. Results A statistically significant increase in skin temperature of 0.6 °C was observed at the end of the MRI scan (P<0.01). There was no significant changes in rectal temperature, heart rate or oxygen saturation. Conclusion Core temperature, heart rate and oxygen saturation in newborns were not affected by 3-T brain MR scanning.