Paediatric Brain MRI Scan

Paediatric Brain MRI Scan

Private brain MRI scans for children aged 13 to 17 in Milton Keynes. Fast appointments, consultant radiologist reports and a parent or person with parental responsibility by their side. No GP referral? We can arrange one for £50.

Paediatric Brain MRI Scan Pricing

£430

Autumn Scan & Save Price (20% Off)

£344

Pay in 4 interest-free instalments with Clearpay
What’s included
  • One-region MRI scan (brain)
  • Referral from a GP or healthcare professional reviewed before your appointment
  • Full report from a consultant radiologist
  • Access to digital scan images
  • Results within 3–5 working days
  • Pre and post-scan support for you and your child
  • Parent or person with parental responsibility can stay with your child where appropriate
  • Chaperone offered for sensitive examinations, or on request
  • Music or TV during the scan to help your child relax
  • Free parking & accessible parking available
Teenager relaxing with headphones, feeling at ease about a paediatric brain MRI scan

What is a paediatric Brain MRI?

A Brain MRI uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to produce detailed images of the brain. It involves no radiation, which makes it a safe choice for teenagers. The scan is painless and usually takes around 20 to 30 minutes. A brain MRI allows clinicians to examine:

  • Cerebrum and cerebellum
  • Brainstem
  • Nerves and blood vessels
  • Ventricles and cerebrospinal fluid
  • Surrounding soft tissues

Our Brain MRI scans for 13 to 17 year olds are non-contrast scans. We do not use contrast dye or sedation.

Why might my child need a Brain MRI?

A GP or specialist may recommend a brain MRI if your child has symptoms that need a closer look. Common reasons include:

  • Persistent or worsening headaches or migraines
  • Follow-up after a head injury
  • Dizziness, balance problems or changes in vision
  • Seizures or unexplained episodes
  • Monitoring a known neurological condition
  • Reassurance when symptoms have not settled
Teenager with a headache, a common reason for a child brain MRI
The Vitalscan clinic in Milton Keynes

Before you book

A referral from a GP or another healthcare professional (for example a physiotherapist) is required for all scans for 13 to 17 year olds. If your child does not have one, we can arrange a 10-minute private GP consultation to provide the referral, at an additional cost of £50.

A responsible accompanying adult must attend with the young person. Our staff will explain the examination, complete the appropriate safety checks and make sure the young person has the opportunity to ask questions before going ahead. Where appropriate, consent will be obtained from a parent or person with parental responsibility. Read about consent and chaperones.

We do not offer sedation, so your child will need to be comfortable lying still during the scan. If you have any questions about whether a scan is suitable, call us on 01908 755 556, or see all of our paediatric scans for 13 to 17 year olds.

Paediatric Brain MRI FAQs

Most brain MRI scans take around 20 to 30 minutes. Your child will need to lie still on the scanning bed, and can listen to music during the scan.

Yes, where appropriate. A parent, person with parental responsibility or accompanying adult may stay with the young person, subject to the MRI safety checks. This does not replace a formal chaperone where one is required.

MRI does not use radiation. Before the scan, our team will complete a safety questionnaire with you to check for any metal implants, devices or other reasons the scan may not be suitable.

A referral from a GP or another healthcare professional (for example a physiotherapist) is required for all scans for 13 to 17 year olds. If your child does not have one, we can arrange a 10-minute private GP consultation to provide the referral, at an additional cost of £50.

Yes. If you would rather not wait for a GP appointment, we can arrange a 10-minute private GP consultation for £50. The GP will assess whether a scan is appropriate and, if so, provide the referral so your child can be booked in.

Appointments are often available within days, and sometimes the same week, subject to availability and your referral. Results are usually ready within 3 to 5 working days.

Yes. A responsible accompanying adult must attend with the young person. Where appropriate, consent will be obtained from a parent or person with parental responsibility. Young people aged 16 to 17 are generally presumed able to consent to their own treatment, and for those aged 13 to 15 we consider their ability to understand and consent in line with Gillick competence.

No. We do not offer sedation or anaesthesia. Your child will need to be comfortable lying still for the length of the scan. If you are unsure whether your child will manage this, please call us on 01908 755 556 before booking.

Paediatric scans are the same price as our adult scans. The price is shown on each scan page and confirmed when you book. If we arrange the referral for you, the 10-minute private GP consultation is an additional £50.

We do not offer full body MRI packages, contrast scans, arthrogram MRI, ultrasound-guided injections, blood tests or early pregnancy scans for patients aged 13 to 17.

The report is sent to the email address used to make the booking. Reports are not automatically shared with the referring clinician, so please take the results to your GP or healthcare provider if any follow-up is needed.

{"@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [{"@type": "Question", "name": "How long does a Brain MRI take?", "acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer", "text": "Most brain MRI scans take around 20 to 30 minutes. Your child will need to lie still on the scanning bed, and can listen to music during the scan."}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "Can I stay with my child during the scan?", "acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes, where appropriate. A parent, person with parental responsibility or accompanying adult may stay with the young person, subject to the MRI safety checks. This does not replace a formal chaperone where one is required."}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "Is an MRI safe for teenagers?", "acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer", "text": "MRI does not use radiation. Before the scan, our team will complete a safety questionnaire with you to check for any metal implants, devices or other reasons the scan may not be suitable."}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "Does my child need a referral?", "acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer", "text": "A referral from a GP or another healthcare professional (for example a physiotherapist) is required for all scans for 13 to 17 year olds. If your child does not have one, we can arrange a 10-minute private GP consultation to provide the referral, at an additional cost of £50."}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "Can I get a private scan for my child without seeing our GP?", "acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. If you would rather not wait for a GP appointment, we can arrange a 10-minute private GP consultation for £50. The GP will assess whether a scan is appropriate and, if so, provide the referral so your child can be booked in."}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "How quickly can my child be scanned?", "acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer", "text": "Appointments are often available within days, and sometimes the same week, subject to availability and your referral. Results are usually ready within 3 to 5 working days."}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "Do I need to come to the appointment?", "acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. A responsible accompanying adult must attend with the young person. Where appropriate, consent will be obtained from a parent or person with parental responsibility. Young people aged 16 to 17 are generally presumed able to consent to their own treatment, and for those aged 13 to 15 we consider their ability to understand and consent in line with Gillick competence."}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "Is sedation available?", "acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer", "text": "No. We do not offer sedation or anaesthesia. Your child will need to be comfortable lying still for the length of the scan. If you are unsure whether your child will manage this, please call us on 01908 755 556 before booking."}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "How much does it cost?", "acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer", "text": "Paediatric scans are the same price as our adult scans. The price is shown on each scan page and confirmed when you book. If we arrange the referral for you, the 10-minute private GP consultation is an additional £50."}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "Which scans are not available for under-18s?", "acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer", "text": "We do not offer full body MRI packages, contrast scans, arthrogram MRI, ultrasound-guided injections, blood tests or early pregnancy scans for patients aged 13 to 17."}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "Who receives the report?", "acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer", "text": "The report is sent to the email address used to make the booking. Reports are not automatically shared with the referring clinician, so please take the results to your GP or healthcare provider if any follow-up is needed."}}]}

Partnered with leading
health insurance providers

Partnered with leading health insurance providers

Getting the diagnostic tests you need shouldn’t be complicated. We’re proud to work with leading health insurance providers to make access to our services as seamless as possible.

Meet our clinical team

Alice Nitsche

Centre Manager

BSc (Hons), PgC MMR (Dist.)

Abdelfattah Abdelrahman

Senior MRI Radiographer

DipMI, BSc (Hons), CPD (Diag Rad)

Jayme Brooks

Lead Imaging Assistant

Safiatou Jallow

Phlebotomist and Imaging Assistant

Mikhaela Ambagan

Services Coordinator

Where are we located?

You’ll find Vitalscan at 100 Avebury Boulevard, Milton Keynes. Our clinic is just a short walk from Milton Keynes Central train station, making us easy to reach by public transport. If you’re travelling by car, convenient on-site parking is available to make your visit as stress-free as possible.

Book a Paediatric Brain MRI Scan