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Use of medical imaging procedures with ionizing radiation in children: a population-based study

Adam L Dorfman1, Reza Fazel, Andrew J Einstein

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, University of Michigan Health Systems, 1500 E Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. adamdorf@med.umich.edu

Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
|January 5, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Medical diagnostic imaging using ionizing radiation is common in children, particularly older children and infants. Plain radiography is most frequent, but computed tomographic scans are also widely used, highlighting the need for optimized use in pediatrics.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric imaging
  • Radiation exposure
  • Medical diagnostics

Background:

  • Diagnostic imaging procedures utilizing ionizing radiation are increasingly common in pediatric care.
  • Understanding population-based utilization rates is crucial for assessing potential risks and optimizing medical practices.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the population-based rates of diagnostic imaging procedures with ionizing radiation in children.
  • To stratify these rates by age and sex.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective cohort analysis of children younger than 18 years.
  • Data sourced from UnitedHealthcare enrollment across 5 US markets (2005-2007).
  • Analysis focused on the number and types of ionizing radiation imaging procedures performed.

Main Results:

  • 42.5% of 355,088 children underwent 436,711 imaging procedures.
  • Highest utilization in children over 10 years and infants under 2 years.
  • Plain radiography comprised 84.7%; computed tomographic scans accounted for 11.9%, with head CTs being most frequent.

Conclusions:

  • Children frequently experience exposure to ionizing radiation from medical diagnostic imaging.
  • Optimization and appropriate use of these procedures in the pediatric population are encouraged.
Abstract

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