The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), Canada's leading pediatric research hospital, has become the first pediatric care facility in the country to implement the NAEOTOM Alpha, the world’s first photon-counting CT scanner from Siemens Healthineers. This milestone marks a significant advancement in pediatric imaging, providing improved image quality at a lower radiation dose while enhancing child- and family centred care.
Computed tomography (CT) imaging in pediatric care presents unique challenges. Children are more sensitive to radiation, have higher heart rates and faster breathing, and may require sedation to remain still during scans. The NAEOTOM Alpha helps to address these challenges with photon-counting technology, delivering high spatial resolution clinical images with inherent spectral information—without the young patient having to hold their breath. These aspects open new capabilities to reduce the need for sedation and offer dose-lowering features that protect young patients from unnecessary radiation exposure.
“We are proud to be the first pediatric hospital in Canada to have the NAEOTOM Alpha photon-counting CT scanner and look forward to the positive impact it will have on our patient care and outcomes,” said Dr. Birgit Ertl-Wagner, Radiologist-in-Chief at SickKids. “This specialized technology will enhance our ability to provide accurate diagnoses and inform treatment plans, ultimately improving the care we offer to our young patients."
“The introduction of the first NAEOTOM Alpha in a pediatric hospital in Canada is an exciting milestone for Siemens Healthineers,” said Richard Newman, Director of Sales, Imaging & Advanced Therapies, Central Region at Siemens Healthineers. “This technology will help transform pediatric CT imaging, allowing SickKids’ specialists to deliver safer and more accurate diagnoses while optimizing the patient experience for children and their families.”
“Bringing the NAEOTOM Alpha to SickKids underscores our commitment to advancing healthcare through innovation,” said Darren Scott, Account Manager at Siemens Healthineers. “We are honoured to support SickKids in their mission to improve children’s health through latest medical imaging technology.”
SickKids Foundation is grateful to FDC Foundation for catalyzing matching gifts towards SickKids diagnostic imaging equipment. This support has enabled the purchase of this revolutionary CT scanner and ensures SickKids continues to be a leader and provide the best possible care to our patients and families.
Every child deserves accurate results and treatment. By collaborating with leading medical institutions like SickKids, Siemens Healthineers continues to push the boundaries of healthcare innovation, ensuring that Canadian children and their families receive timely, high-quality care.
About Siemens Healthineers:
Siemens Healthineers pioneers breakthroughs in healthcare. For everyone. Everywhere. Sustainably. The company is a global provider of healthcare equipment, solutions and services, with activities in more than 180 countries and direct representation in more than 70. The group comprises Siemens Healthineers AG, listed as SHL in Frankfurt, Germany, and its subsidiaries. As a leading medical technology company, Siemens Healthineers is committed to improving access to healthcare for underserved communities worldwide and is striving to overcome the most threatening diseases. The company is principally active in the areas of imaging, diagnostics, cancer care and minimally invasive therapies, augmented by digital technology and artificial intelligence. In fiscal 2024, which ended on September 30, 2024, Siemens Healthineers had approximately 73,000 employees worldwide and generated revenue of around €22.4 billion. Further information is available at www.siemens-healthineers.com.
About The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids):
The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) has been changing the game for paediatric health care since it became the first children’s hospital in Canada in 1875. Affiliated with the University of Toronto, SickKids is one of Canada’s most research-intensive hospitals and has generated discoveries that have helped children globally. Its mission is to provide the best in complex and specialized care; promote a culture centred around patient and family experience; pioneer scientific and clinical advancements; foster an academic environment that nurtures health-care professionals; and champion an accessible, comprehensive and sustainable child health system. In 2025, SickKids is celebrating 150 years of excellence in children's health, continuing to advance Precision Child Health, its groundbreaking movement to deliver individualized care, including responsibly using artificial intelligence to improve clinical care and research. SickKids is proud of its vision for Healthier Children. A Better World. For more information, please visit www.sickkids.ca.