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Radiation doses to neonates requiring intensive care
The British Journal of Radiology
|June 1, 1983
Summary
Diagnostic X-rays for critically ill newborns are common. Studies show radiation doses are generally low, comparable to natural background radiation, posing minimal additional risk.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Neonatal Care
- Radiation Dosimetry
Background:
- Radiological investigations are essential for neonatal intensive care.
- Premature infants undergo frequent diagnostic X-rays, raising concerns about cumulative radiation dose.
- Assessing radiation exposure in this vulnerable population is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the radiation doses received by infants in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
- To compare these doses with natural background radiation and prenatal exposure.
- To determine the associated risks of diagnostic radiography in neonates.
Main Methods:
- Studied infants in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit over six months.
- Recorded X-ray exposure factors for each examination.
- Calculated skin, gonad, and bone marrow doses using phantom measurements.
Main Results:
- Most infants received radiation doses comparable to natural background levels.
- Doses were generally lower than those from prenatal obstetric radiography.
- Computed tomography (CT) scans and barium examinations resulted in the highest doses.
Conclusions:
- Additional risks from diagnostic X-rays in neonates are likely small.
- Careful consideration of CT and barium examinations is recommended.
- Requests for high-dose procedures should be made by experienced staff.