No, this baby is not stuck. Yes, they're fine. It's just a Pigg-O-Stat. Have you seen the viral photo of the baby squeezed into a glass tube? At first, I thought this baby got stuck in a vase. And upon closer look, it does seem like the much-forwarded image is one of a baby trapped inside some kind of large test tube. However, there's actually nothing to worry about. No image editing has happened and the baby is perfectly fine.
What you're seeing here is a baby in a pediatric X-ray device—with the unfortunate name of Pigg-O-Stat. It's also called a baby X-ray tube or pediatric immobilizer. It may look strange, scary, or silly, depending on your perspective, but it's the go-to option medical professionals use to X-ray small children when they have an injury or illness. The device keeps them still to facilitate the procedure.
Learn more about this baby X-ray tube, including why it's used, and more about the reaction to this photo on Reddit.
The manufacturer describes the Pigg-O-Stat as 'an all-in-one pediatric immobilization device designed for positioning infants and young children for an appropriate X-ray without significant complications.' The machine, which was introduced in 1960, gives the technicians in charge the best chance of capturing the needed images in the first shots. Fewer retakes mean less exposure to radiation for the beautiful baby. So it's a win-win.
When done only when needed and using the lowest amount of radiation possible, X-rays are a vital tool doctors use to diagnose and treat many types of illnesses and injuries. For example, an X-ray can be used to tell if your child has a broken bone. However, exposure to excess radiation at a very young age is a risk factor for a variety of medical problems, including cancer. Young children are particularly susceptible to the harms of radiation.
This is why getting a baby's X-rays taken quickly and accurately is so important. But it's not always easy, given that infants are fairly unpredictable, may not be able to sit up or hold still, and like to wiggle around. This is where the Pigg-O-Stat device comes in. When the baby is put inside it, their body is held in the ideal position to take an X-ray, allowing the technicians to get the process done safely and efficiently.
But it still looks odd at best, which is why this picture was posted to Reddit with the simple caption 'A baby getting an X-Ray looks hilarious' and why TikTok has pig-piled onto the cuteness of babies in Pigg-O-Stats.
While not many Reddit users agree that the poor kid in the pic actually looks 'hilarious,' the resulting comments on the post most certainly are:
'Imagine opening one of those Pillsbury biscuit cans and have this pop out at you,' added one poster.
'That's not an X-ray,' explained a third. 'It's a TSA screening. That baby forgot to take his keys out of his pocket.'
Mad props for the creativity. Several radiology techs also stopped by to helpfully explain what was really going on.
'It might look hilarious, but it's a damn lifesaver,' said one. 'I use one every time I do a chest X-ray on a baby. Its use is to immobilize the child so that they don't wiggle around. It might look scary, but it saves me from repeating my images and excess radiation.'
'Is it hard for parents to watch?' added another. 'Yes—it can be. But in all honesty, I've had just as many parents pull out their cell phones to take pics to share with friends and family as I have had parents who get emotional.'
'Rad tech here,' offered a third. 'As much as we'd love to still use those things, a lot of bigger hospitals are outlawing them. Apparently, it's just too intense for the parents to watch. I wish we could still use them however is because it reduces motion, which reduces repeat X-rays, which reduces radiation exposure to the baby. Hell, I wish we could use them on adults too.'
And finally: 'I'm an x-ray tech,' said a fourth. 'The disturbing fact: The more they cry the better the picture. Because their lungs are full of air in between screams....we are terrible people.'
Learn something new every day! Though the biggest takeaway here might just be the fact that if you're looking for a radiology tech, you can probably find one hanging out on Reddit. However, it's also good to know that while it might look strange, the baby X-ray tube is actually used to help babies and isn't causing harm. Even better, you'll be better prepared if your baby ever needs an X-ray and the radiology tech brings one out.
Source: Pediatric Immobilizer. Pigg-O-Stat.Pediatric X-Ray Imaging. US Food and Drug Administration. 2023.
