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Updated: Aug 18, 2026
Transcutaneous Microcirculatory Imaging in Preterm Neonates
Published on: December 31, 2015
[Radiation doses received by premature babies in the neonatal intensive care unit]
I Thierry-Chef1, C Maccia, D Laurier
1Centre d'Assurance de qualité des Applications Technologiques dans le domaine de la Santé, 43 boulevard Maréchal Joffre, 92340 Bourg-la Reine, France. isabelle.thierry-chef-caats@irsn.fr
Insights
Frequent X-rays in neonatal intensive care units expose premature babies to significant radiation doses. Cumulative effective doses can reach a few millisieverts, highlighting the need for radiation dose optimization in this vulnerable population.
Area of Science:
- Medical Physics
- Pediatric Radiology
- Neonatology
Background:
- Neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) frequently utilize radiological imaging for premature infants.
- Premature babies are a vulnerable population with increased sensitivity to ionizing radiation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a dosimetry study assessing radiation doses received by premature infants in the NICU.
- To evaluate effective doses from individual radiographs and cumulative doses over the NICU stay.
Main Methods:
- In vivo measurements were performed to determine effective doses for single radiographs.
- Cumulative doses were estimated based on the number of radiographs per infant during their NICU stay.
- Data was collected from premature babies admitted to the NICU in 2002.
Main Results:
- Average doses per radiograph were found to be relatively low, around 25 microSieverts (µSv).
- However, cumulative doses varied significantly based on the length of infant stay, reaching several millisieverts (mSv).
- Infants stayed, on average, for one week, often requiring more than one radiograph daily.
Conclusions:
- While individual radiograph doses align with European recommendations, cumulative doses necessitate optimization.
- Premature infants' increased radiosensitivity and likelihood of further imaging warrant careful dose management.
- Findings support the need for a larger-scale study on radiation dosimetry in neonatal care.
Purpose:
Because of frequent radiological investigations performed in neonatal intensive care unit, a dosimetry study was carried out to assess the level of doses received by premature babies.
Materials And Methods:
In vivo measurements were performed and effective doses were evaluated for single radiographs. Individual cumulative doses received over the period of stay were then estimated, for each premature baby entering the intensive care unit in 2002, taking into account the number of radiographs they underwent.
Results:
On average, babies stayed for a week and more than one radiograph was taken per day. Results showed that, even if average doses per radiograph were relatively low (25 microSV), cumulative doses strongly depended on the length of stay, and can reach a few mSv.
Conclusion:
Even if doses per radiograph are in agreement with European recommendations, optimisation of doses is particularly important because premature babies are more sensitive to radiation than adults and because they usually undergo further radiological examinations in other services. On the basis of the results of this dosimetry study, the implementation of a larger study is being discussed.
