Entrance Skin Dose Evaluation in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Skull, Pelvis and Abdomen Radiographs

Abstract

X-rays are widely used in medicine, including pediatrics. In addition to the benefits offered by the diagnosis, its use may also lead to the occurrence of biological effects. In pediatrics some tissues or organs are more radiosensitive. Also, due to the small size of the children, the organs are very close, increasing the radiation dose received by the patients. This study aimed to estimate the radiation dose received by children in the Skull AP, Abdomen AP and Pelvis AP projections. The dose calculation was performed from the x-ray tube output and the values were compared with major international dose reference levels. The results differ slightly from those presented by the adopted reference levels, but still are within the proposed range. The same happens for the radiographic technique used in each exam studied.