For children going home after a CT or MRI scan under general anaesthesia at The Royal Children’s Hospital.

Please also see Kids Health Info fact sheet on CT Scan

Eating and drinking

• After the anaesthetic, your child can start eating a light diet with foods such as sandwiches, pasta, soup, or jelly. Your child may return to their usual diet when they feel well enough.
  • Avoid fatty or junk food.
• Babies can start breastfeeding or drinking formula as soon as they are awake from the procedure.
  • Some babies may prefer smaller feeds more often after anaesthesia.

Nausea and vomiting

• It is common for children to feel sick or vomit once or twice after anaesthesia. This usually settles quickly.
  • If they vomit or feel sick, stop giving food for about an hour. Then, try light foods if your child can manage them without feeling ill.
• If your child continues to vomit, please call the contact numbers you have been given or visit your nearest hospital emergency department.
  • You can contact the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department if you live in Victoria.

Pain and discomfort

• Some children may have a mild headache, sore throat, or discomfort where their intravenous (IV) cannula was inserted for anaesthesia. This usually goes away within 24 hours.
• You can give your child pain-relief medicine, such as paracetamol, as required.
  • Paracetamol is safe to give to children of any age. However, it is best to speak with a doctor first if your child is under one month old. Follow the instructions on the bottle. Do not give more than the recommended dosage.

Activity

• You should supervise your child for the first 24 hours after an anaesthetic. It is normal for them to be sleepy, irritable, dizzy, or less coordinated than usual. 
• It is best for your child to avoid activities that require them to balance or coordinate until the effects of the anaesthetic have worn off. For example, bike or scooter riding, swimming or climbing.

Follow-up

• Seek urgent medical help if your child has trouble breathing, is hard to wake, becomes increasingly drowsy, has ongoing vomiting, develops severe pain, is very unwell, or you are worried for any other reason.
• If you do not already have an appointment booked with the referring doctor who ordered the scan, please call to make an appointment. It may be a week before they receive the results from the hospital.
• Contact the numbers you have been given if you have any questions about your child’s care at home.

Contact details

The Royal Children’s Hospital Day Surgery Unit

Monday to Friday, 7AM to 8PM
Telephone: (03) 9345 6570

Victorian Virtual Emergency Department

An online public health service available in Victoria, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Call an ambulance (000) immediately in an emergency.

Developed by The Royal Children’s Hospital Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine department. We acknowledge the input of RCH consumers and carers.

Reviewed June 2026

Please always seek the most recent advice from a registered and practising clinician.