MR tech here. MR scanners could sure look better for kids. A few observations. If the kids parents are fine and not bothered by the scan (or act like they aren't bothered) the kid usually does fine. If the parents are begging for sedation from the moment they hit the front desk, it goes badly even with sedation (we don't do any GA where I work). Claustrophobia is a funny thing and females seem to deal with it better than males. Females seem to tell us earlier in the piece and can then be coached though it. Males say nothing then freak out, and flat refuse to come back. I have worked at scanners in very poor areas and very wealthy area. The scanners in poor areas seem to have far fewer claustrophobic patients. The sicker people are, the less claustrophobia seems to stress them out. These observations may only apply in the areas (NZ) where I have worked.