The information below is about a procedure at the Queensland Children's Hospital and may not apply to other hospitals and health facilities.
X-rays are a form of radiation that pass through the body, bones, soft tissues and air and help us see inside the body.
Having an X-ray doesn’t hurt, but your child may need to be in an uncomfortable position depending on which body part needs to be X-rayed. They’ll also need to stay still while the X-ray is taken.
Why does my child need an X-ray?
Your child may need an X-ray if a health professional needs to:
- see if different organs in their body are healthy
- check for fractures or broken bones
- diagnose, treat and manage diseases
- check the location of swallowed foreign bodies - for example if your child has swallowed a coin.
Before an X-ray
We recommend they child wear a plain T-shirt and shorts or leggings to their appointment, just in case. Make sure your child doesn’t wear clothing with metal clips or snaps and has removed all jewellery.
It is a good idea to tie up long hair, particularly for neck and chest examinations.
Before your child has an X-ray they may need to change into a hospital gown. If they don’t want to wear the hospital gown, they may be able to wear their normal clothes.
If your child uses a wheelchair, they may need to use a special chair during their X-ray. This is to prevent metal parts of the wheelchair showing up on the X-ray images.
If your child wears nappies, you’ll need to remove them if they’re having their hip or pelvis X-rayed.
During an X-ray
X-rays take between 5 and 10 minutes. However, it can be longer depending on how many images need to be taken.
If you’re not pregnant, you can stay with your child during the X-ray.
How the X-ray is taken depends on what part of the body is being examined.
Chest X-ray
We’ll take one image while your child is either sitting up or standing.
Abdominal X-ray
We’ll take one or two images while your child is lying down on the X-ray table. However, in some cases they may need to sit up or stand instead.
Leg or arm X-rays
We’ll take images of the area in 2 or more different positions. This will depend on the reason for the X-ray.
Skull X-ray
We’ll take up to 4 images. You may need to help hold your child’s head very still while we do this. We may also use foam blocks to keep their head still if you can’t be in the room with them.
Skeletal survey
In this type of X-ray, we’ll need to take images of different areas of the body. This type of X-ray may take between 20 minutes to an hour.
After an X-ray
Your child will be able to go home after their X-ray or visit the health professional who referred them if needed.
The radiologist will prepare a report about your child’s X-ray results and send it to the health professional who referred them. The health professional should let you know when they get them.
Watch a video on having an X-ray
Meet Claudia who will show you what it’s like to have an X-ray at our hospital.
Hi, I'm Claudia. I'm here at the Queensland Children's Hospital, and today we'll take a look at the X-ray department.
This is the reception of the medical imaging department. Your family will talk to the staff at the front desk and we'll show you to the waiting area.
An X-ray is a photo of the inside of your body. You'll need this photo if you've broken your arm or if your tummy or chest hurts. Soon, a radiographer will call out your name. You'll follow them to the x-ray rooms. A radiographer is the person who takes the photos. Before the photo is taken, a radiographer will ask you your full name, your date of birth, and where you live .
Make sure you get these correct. The room has a bed and a big camera that hangs down from the ceiling. So for the photo, you'll either stand with your back against the board, or with your front facing the board. Lie on the bed or sit beside the bed. Your mother or father will move behind a wall so that the x-ray only takes your photo. But don't worry, you'll be able to see them.
This button here moves the camera. And this button here turns the light on the camera will move to the so area and the light will turn on. It is very important to stay still when the radiographer goes around to take the picture. The photo will be taken and sent to a doctor, but before you leave the room, make sure you get a sticker.
That's it for me. Bye.
Last updated: October 2023