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High Priority Alert

We are experiencing extremely high demand in our Emergency Department. Learn more.

High Priority Alert

Masking and Visitation Changes: Due to high rates of respiratory illnesses in our community, we’ve made changes to our masking and visitation guidelines. Learn more.

What to Expect

Chest X-ray

What is a chest X-ray?

A chest X-ray is a picture of your child’s chest showing the heart and lungs. We take the picture using a small amount of radiation.

Why are chest X-rays done?

With an X-ray, your child’s care team can see if your child’s heart or lungs look normal. A chest X-ray can be useful in diagnosing:

  • An enlarged heart
  • Excess fluid around the heart
  • Excess fluid in the lungs
  • Lung problems such as pneumonia, lung cancer, tuberculosis or other lung diseases

Chest X-rays may also be used to check the position of devices such as a pacemakerdefibrillator or catheter.

How do chest X-rays work?

An X-ray machine sends out very tiny particles called photons that pass through the body. They are picked up by a sensitive film or imaging plate. We use the lowest possible amount (dose) of radiation while still making the picture clear. Things that are dense, like bones, will block most of the photons and appear white on the film. Tissues that are less dense appear darker. This includes muscle, blood, skin and fat.

Smaller bodies often need less radiation to get a good image. The dose of radiation varies with each patient and type of exam. Our team uses your child’s age and weight to set the dosage. The radiation doses we give at Seattle Children’s are consistently lower than the American College of Radiology guidelines. (Learn more in our radiation exposure handout [PDF]. Also available in Amharic, Arabic, Russian, Simplified Chinese and Spanish.)

What happens during a chest X-ray?

You and your child will go to our Radiology Department. Your child will wear a hospital gown. We will ask them to stand or sit in front of the machine (if they can) and hold their breath when we take the X-ray. Usually, we take 2 X-ray views: 1 from the front and 1 from the side.

The radiology team at Seattle Children’s has the training and experience to lower your child’s stress before, during and after tests. They will keep your child calm using methods like distraction that match your child’s age and development.

Having an X-ray is as painless as taking a picture. It will not poke or hurt your child.

How long does a chest X-ray take?

A chest X-ray takes about 5 minutes. A radiologist will read the results. A radiologist is a doctor who interprets the medical images and works with your child’s heart doctor (cardiologist).

Contact Us

Contact the Heart Center at 206-987-2015 for a referral, a second opinion or more information.

Providers, see how to refer a patient

Paying for Care

Learn about paying for care at Seattle Children’s, including insurance coverage, billing and financial assistance.

Contact Us

Alaska

Pediatric Cardiology of Alaska
907-339-1945

Montana

Pediatric Cardiology of Montana – Bozeman (in collaboration with Bozeman Health)
406-414-4570

Pediatric Cardiology of Montana – Great Falls
406-771-3223

Washington

Outreach Clinic: Yakima Children's Village
509-575-3238

Seattle Children’s South Sound Cardiology Centralia
253-272-1812

Seattle Children’s South Sound Cardiology Silverdale
253-272-1812

Seattle Children’s South Sound Cardiology Tacoma
253-272-1812

Seattle Children's Bellevue Clinic and Surgery Center
206-987-2515

Seattle Children's Hospital
206-987-2000

Seattle Children's North Clinic in Everett
425-783-6200

Seattle Children's Olympia Clinic
206-987-2515

Seattle Children's South Clinic in Federal Way
253-838-5878

Seattle Children's Tri-Cities
509-582-1750

Seattle Children's Wenatchee Clinic
529-662-9266

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