Fetal doses from radiological examinations.

Abstract

There has been growing concern about radiation exposures in the case of pregnant women who undergo radiological examinations of the lower abdomen and pelvis, when the embryo/fetus is near or included in the X-ray field. This paper describes a retrospective study of 50 pregnant women accrued over a period of 10 years. Most of these women were not aware of pregnancy at the time of their radiological examinations. They subsequently discovered that they were pregnant and sought advice from their physicians on fetal dose and risk. They were then referred to a Radiation Protection Advisor for an estimation of the fetal dose. Radiation absorbed dose to the embryo/fetus was estimated from a knowledge of technique factors and examination details using normalized uterine doses published by the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB). Doses to the embryo/fetus varied between less than 0.01 microGy and 117 mGy, depending on the examination. Gestational ages ranged between 2 and 24 weeks.

Prenatal X-ray exposure and childhood brain tumours: a population-based case–control study on tumour subtypes

“…Foetal absorbed dose for an abdominal X-ray examination has been reported to vary between 0.1 mGy for a pelvimetry with one anterior -posterior and one lateral film (Axelsson and Ohlsen, 1979) to more than 4 mGy (Osei and Faulkner, 1999;ICRP, 2000). In dosimeter studies, radiation doses have been found to vary by a factor of 30 or more for the same type of examination depending on variations in radiological techniques, choice of film, etc, (Badr et al, 1997;ICRP, 2000).…”

"Doctor, will that x-ray harm my unborn child?"

“…8 Spontaneous risk includes a 15% chance of having a spontaneous abortion, 3% risk for major malformation and 4% risk of fetal growth restriction. 5,7,9,10 The Radiation Safety Committee of the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that unborn babies of laboratory workers should not be exposed to more than 0.5 rad cumulatively from all sources of radiation during the entire gestational period. 8 Typically, occupational radiation exposure is measured by tags or dosimeter badge.…”

Approach to the Management of the Pregnant Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patient: Successful Outcome

“…MRI studies are also safe and have been used to diagnose terminal ileal CD during pregnancy since active disease in the mother has an adverse effect on the foetus; investigation for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes is warranted and should not be delayed. The foetal radiation dose should be estimated by qualified medical personnel to provide a more detailed approximation of risks to the foetus (Osei et al, 1999).…”