Ask Me Help Desk - MRI for sacral dimple

I have a 6month old daughter who was born with something called a Sacral Dimple. She has already had a ultrasound, but now her doctor has her scheduled for a MRI. I am very worried and honastly panicing about this. Is it dangerous for her to be having a MRI at her age? What happens when she gets the MRI? Should I be concerned about her Sacral Dimple? I am very upset and worried about this, and I feel like I am just not getting any information from her doctor. Can someone please help?? :confused:

Firstly let me congratulate you on your new bundle of joy. Babies are precious aren't they? I just spent 12 hours delivering babies today, and I just love them with all my heart.

Now, there is no need to panic. While I am sure you are scared, at this point the doctor is just making sure baby is okay.

What your doctor is doing is ruling out any neural tube defects such as spina bifida. If this is what your baby has, please don't panic as it would be the mildest form called spina bifida occulta. This is when the spinal cord and the nerves are usually normal and there is no opening on the back. In this relatively harmless form of Spina Bifida.

Spina bifida occulta can be diagnosed at any age. My son who is now 5 1/2 had a possible diagnosis of it this summer due to a cyst that developed in his sacral area. He is a healthy, vibrant, energetic boy who is the star of his soccer team.

Don't be too concerned with this, if it were something very serious they would have taken measures much sooner than waiting 6 months. The doctor is doing the best tests possible to rule this out. Again, if it is occulta, and I am not saying that it is okay, this is the mildest form and there should be no future problems.

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Originally Posted by heatherms22

I just wanted to say thanks for the info u gave me. made me feel a little better. I had one other question don't know if you could answer it but you sound like u might. Although she is 6months old she is very small for her age, weighting only 15lbs. Is it going to be dangerous for her to be sedated for the mri being so little? Should I have them wait until she is bigger? If you know I would really like to know. thanks for all ur help again! :o

It should be no problem to have her sedated for the MRI. There are pediatric dosages of the anesthesia that are given to her according to her specific weight right down to the gram. I wouldn't be too concerned. It sounds like you have a very aggressive doctor and that is a VERY good kind of doctor to have on your side.

Answered my questions wonderfully and made me rest easier!! Thanks!!