MRI involving a local RF coil being movable relative to a pediatric patient carrier

A pediatric patient handling assembly includes a carrier on which a pediatric patient is positioned and prepared for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The carrier carrying the pediatric patient is set on a support table of an MRI scanner. The support table includes a local RF coil assembly mounted on the support table. The carrier is slid along the support table and into engagement with the local RF coil assembly. Interacting guide surfaces on the carrier and the local RF coil assembly align and engage the carrier along a longitudinal axis of the support table. The local RF coil assembly includes a pivotally mounted anterior coil which is lowered towards a base of the support table into an imaging or operating position. The support table, with the engaged local RF coil assembly, carrier and pediatric patient, is translated into a magnetic imaging region of the MRI scanner.