Temperature Changes During Sedated Pediatric Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Body Temperature Changes in Children Undergoing Magnetic Resonance Imaging Under Sedation

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is widely used in pediatric patients and frequently requires sedation or general anesthesia. Both sedation and MRI-related environmental factors may influence thermoregulation. This prospective observational study aimed to evaluate body temperature changes in children undergoing MRI under sedation and to identify factors associated with these changes. A total of 285 pediatric patients (ASA physical status I-III) were included. Tympanic body temperature was measured immediately before sedation and after completion of MRI, and the temperature difference (ΔT) was calculated. Demographic, clinical, and environmental variables were analyzed to determine predictors of temperature change.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Pediatric Anesthesia; Body Temperature Changes; Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Sedation During MRI

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 285

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Ankara
    • Altındağ, Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye)
      • Ankara Etlik City Hospital

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Pediatric patients younger than 18 years with ASA physical status I-III undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) under sedation between November 2023 and April 2024.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age <18 years.
• American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-III.
• Scheduled to undergo clinically indicated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) under sedation.
• Written informed consent obtained from parent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Age ≥18 years.
• ASA physical status IV-V.
• Known allergy to anesthetic medications used for sedation.
• Unstable vital signs prior to MRI.
• Fever (body temperature ≥37.5°C) before MRI.
• Severe pulmonary or cardiovascular comorbidities.
• Requirement for advanced airway management (laryngeal mask airway or endotracheal intubation).
• Refusal or absence of parental consent.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in Body Temperature (ΔT) Before and After MRI	The difference between tympanic body temperature measured immediately before sedation and immediately after completion of MRI (post-MRI minus pre-MRI temperature), expressed in degrees Celsius (°C).	From immediately before sedation to immediately after completion of MRI (approximately 20-80 minutes)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in Tympanic Body Temperature (ΔT)	Change in core body temperature measured at the tympanic membrane using a Braun Thermoscan Ear Thermometer PRO 6000 (accuracy ±0.2°C). ΔT is calculated as post-MRI temperature minus pre-MRI temperature. Unit of Measure: Degrees Celsius (°C)	From immediately before sedation (pre-MRI) to immediately after MRI completion (approximately 20-80 minutes).
Regression Coefficient (B) for Continuous Body Temperature Change (ΔT, °C)	Independent predictors of continuous body temperature change (ΔT, °C) will be evaluated using multivariable linear regression analysis. In this model, ΔT (calculated as post-MRI minus pre-MRI tympanic temperature) will be entered as the dependent variable. The following predefined variables will be included simultaneously as independent predictors: age group (0-2, 3-7, 8-17 years), sex (male/female), ASA physical status (I-III), body mass index (kg/m²), fasting duration (hours), MRI duration (minutes), MRI room temperature (°C), MRI room humidity (%), contrast administration (yes/no), presence of comorbidity (yes/no), malignancy (yes/no), and allergy history (yes/no).	From immediately before sedation to immediately after completion of MRI (approximately 20-80 minutes)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Ankara Etlik City Hospital

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): November 1, 2023
• Primary Completion (Actual): April 30, 2024
• Study Completion (Actual): June 30, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 22, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 3, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): March 6, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 6, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 3, 2026
• Last Verified: March 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Sedation; Pediatric Anesthesia; Pediatric Patients; Body Temperature Changes
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Signs and Symptoms; Body Temperature Changes
• Other Study ID Numbers: AEŞH-EK1-2023-555

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No