[Prenatal Radiation Exposure in Nuclear Medicine]

Area of Science:

• Medical Physics
• Radiology
• Nuclear Medicine

Background:

• Radiation exposure during pregnancy from nuclear medicine raises patient and professional concerns.
• Previous guidelines for prenatal radiation exposure calculations were outdated.
• Advances in nuclear medicine imaging and radiotracers necessitated a revision.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the 2019 revised German report on prenatal radiation exposure.
• To highlight changes relevant to nuclear medicine, including a new dose calculation concept.
• To provide guidance for estimating radiation exposure to the unborn.

Main Methods:

• Review of the 2019 "Prenatal Radiation Exposure Arising from Medical Indication, Dose Calculation, Conclusions for Physicians and Pregnant Women" report.
• Comparison of the revised 2-step dose calculation concept with the previous 3-step approach.
• Analysis of adaptations for new devices, hybrid imaging, and radiotracers.

Main Results:

• A revised 2-step dose calculation concept replaces the former 3-step method.
• Step 1 uses diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for conservative estimation; if below 20 mSv, no further action is needed.
• Step 2 involves dose calculation based on administered activity and gestational stage for higher exposures or therapies.

Conclusions:

• The revised DGMP report provides essential guidance for estimating prenatal radiation exposure.
• The new calculation concept is more adaptable to modern nuclear medicine practices.
• Updated guidelines ensure better-informed decisions regarding radiation use in pregnant patients.