A Milestone at Herzog: First Child Undergoes MRI Under Anesthesia

A Milestone at Herzog: First Child Undergoes MRI Under Anesthesia in New National Center for Imaging in Children with Developmental Disorders.

This week marked a significant milestone at Herzog Medical Center in Jerusalem, as the first child was successfully examined under anesthesia using the hospital’s state-of-the-art MRI machine. The scan took place during a special day devoted to children with special needs—many of whom face long waits for diagnostic imaging elsewhere.

In response to growing national needs, Herzog was jointly designated by Israel’s Ministry of Health as a National Center for Imaging in Children with Developmental Disorders . As part of this role, Herzog is working to relieve bottlenecks in medical imaging by dedicating time and resources to underserved populations, including children with developmental and mental health challenges.

The hospital’s new Medical Imaging Center—equipped with advanced functional MRI (fMRI) capabilities—is central to this effort. With this new facility, Herzog will significantly reduce waiting times for children across Israel. Early diagnosis is critical in cases involving developmental delays, neurological disorders, or behavioral health conditions, where timely intervention can dramatically improve long-term outcomes.

The successful imaging of the first child under anesthesia marks the beginning of a new era in pediatric diagnostic care—one defined by accessibility, compassion, and national preparedness.