The dedicated team at the S. Mark Taper Foundation Imaging Center seeks to ensure that every child is as well cared for as if they were one of our own. Part of that quest for the finest care includes certain restrictions. Eating and drinking is not allowed for certain periods of time before imaging studies and/or procedures that require the administration of anesthesia. The guidelines for eating and drinking before anesthesia are different according to the age of your child. It is important for you to know the scheduled time of your child's imaging study or procedure, and to strictly follow these guidelines accordingly. If you do not follow these guidelines carefully, the pediatric anesthesiologist may cancel the study or procedure. In our quest to provide the finest care for every child, we ask that you read the following fasting guidelines for pediatric patients:

Children less than 6 months of age may:

• Drink formula/non human, e.g cow milk up to 6 hours before their appointment
• Drink breast milk up to 4 hours before their appointment
• Drink clear liquids up to 2 hours before their appointment

Children between 6 months and 3 years of age may:

• Eat solids up to 8 hours before their appointment
• Drink formula/non human milk 6 hours before their appointment
• Drink breast milk 4 hours before their appointment
• Drink clear liquids up to 2 hours before their appointment

Children older than 3 years of age may:

• Eat solids up to eight hours before their appointment
• Drink clear liquids up to two hours before their appointment

Please call 310-423-8000 and press 1 to ask for specific instructions, including sedation requirements.

The physicians, nurses and staff at the center strive to maintain our schedule so that children are seen on time. However, given our goal of ensuring high quality care for each child and doing the utmost to make each child comfortable, there may be delays. We will do our best to keep you informed of any delays and we apologize for any inconvenience.

• Why choose the S. Mark Taper Foundation Imaging Center for a pediatric study?

The S. Mark Taper Foundation Imaging Center provides a full range of advanced imaging, both radiology and cardiology, as well as interventional radiology and interventional tumor (oncology) treatments to the greater Los Angeles area, including Beverly Hills, Encino, Mid-Cities, Sherman Oaks, Silver Lake, Studio City, Toluca Lake and West Hollywood.