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Radiation exposure from CT in early childhood: a French large-scale multicentre study
M-O Bernier1, J-L Rehel, H J Brisse
1Epidemiology Department, Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France. marie-odile.bernier@irsn.fr
Insights
Computed tomography (CT) scans in young children deliver significant radiation doses to radiosensitive organs. Optimizing scan protocols is crucial to minimize potential long-term health risks from pediatric radiation exposure.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Radiology
- Medical Imaging
- Radiation Oncology
Background:
- Increasing use of CT scans in children raises concerns about radiation exposure.
- Assessing the health impact of ionizing radiation from CT scans in pediatric populations is critical.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the pattern of CT scan utilization in early childhood.
- To evaluate radiation doses received by children undergoing CT scans.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 27,362 children undergoing at least one CT scan before age 5 (2000-2006) was analyzed.
- Data from 14 French pediatric radiology departments were collected.
- Absorbed organ doses were calculated for each examination.
Main Results:
- 43% of children were under one year old at first exposure; 9% were neonates.
- Mean examinations per child was 1.6, with head scans being most common (63%).
- Brain and eye lenses received high cumulative doses; mean effective dose was 3.2 mSv.
Conclusions:
- Childhood CT scans result in substantial doses to radiosensitive organs.
- Significant variation in radiation doses necessitates protocol optimization.
- Long-term cancer risk from radiation exposure will be investigated in cohort follow-up.
Objectives:
The increasing use of CT scans in the paediatric population raises the question of a possible health impact of ionising radiation exposure associated with CT scans. The aim of this study was to describe the pattern of CT use in early childhood.
Methods:
In 14 major French paediatric radiology departments, children undergoing at least 1 CT scan before age 5, between 2000 and 2006, were included. For each examination, absorbed organ doses were calculated.
Results:
43% of the 27 362 children in the cohort were aged less than 1 year during their first exposure, with 9% being aged less than 1 month. The mean number of examinations per child was 1.6 (range 1-43). The examinations included: head in 63% of the cases, chest in 21%, abdomen and pelvis in 8% and others in 8%. Brain and eye lenses received the highest cumulative doses from head examinations, with mean organ dose values of 22 mGy (maximum 1107 mGy) and 26 mGy (maximum 1392 mGy), respectively. The mean cumulative effective dose was 3.2 mSv (range 0.1-189 mSv).
Conclusion:
CT scan exposure in childhood is responsible for relatively high doses to radiosensitive organs. The rather large dose range according to the protocols used requires their optimisation. The cohort follow-up will study the risk of long-term radiation-induced cancer.
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