Development of safe operating procedures and early experience of scanning Newborn Infants at 7T

We describe operational processes developed for, and our first experiences in, imaging of newborn infants at 7T. Based on an initial safety study, a new SAR model was adopted, and a protocol developed for safe switching of mode prior and post imaging. Monitoring equipment was tested and cleared for use. Sequences for high-resolution and high-contrast brain imaging were optimized within stricter SAR limits. Image quality and SNR were compared at 7T and 3T, with improved anatomical and pathological features seen at 7T. Our study indicates scanning of newborn infants imaging is possible within the safety considerations needed at 7T.