Children and radiation - what patients need to know
Frequently asked questions by the health professionals
» Should I be concerned about radiation if my child has been prescribed a CT?
» Should I be concerned about radiation if my child has been prescribed an interventional procedure?
» Previously my child was given a protective apron or other shielding to protect them from radiation, but not this time. Why?
» Why is my child not shielded, if I am required to wear a protective apron while I am in the room with them?
» Should I be concerned about radiation if my child has been prescribed a CT?
As part of the justification process, doctors determine whether the benefits of the CT scan outweigh the risks, and they should be able to explain why your child needs a CT scan. Children’s radiation exposure should be as low as possible because they are more sensitive to radiation than adults and they a longer life ahead of them.
» Should I be concerned about radiation if my child has been prescribed an interventional procedure?
As part of the justification process, doctors determine whether the benefits of the procedure outweigh the risks. The doctor should be able to explain why your child needs the procedure and why other procedures are not suitable.
» Previously my child was given a protective apron or other shielding to protect them from radiation, but not this time. Why?
Patient shielding was previously used to minimize the potential risks from radiation. However, the equipment and our understanding of radiation effects have improved (or advanced). This dramatically reduces the radiation dose you receive, making the benefits of using shields negligible. Also, shielding may interfere with the anatomy being viewed or the automatic dose control equipment, which could lead to repeat examination. Staff take many other measures to limit radiation dose according to your child's size and specific examination.
» Why is my child not shielded, if I am required to wear a protective apron while I am in the room with them? The X ray examination is needed to help diagnose and treat your child. Even though the exposure for others in the area is very, very low, regulations very often require that anyone who is not being examined wears shields.
WHO leaflets for patients and families
X-rays exams in children: what do we need to know?
Computed tomography in children: what do we need to know?
X-ray-guided interventions in children: what do we need to know?
Nuclear medicine exams in children: what do we need to know?
WHO posters for patients and families
X-rays exams in children: what do we need to know?
Computed tomography in children: what do we need to know?
X-ray-guided interventions in children: what do we need to know?
Nuclear medicine exams in children: what do we need to know?