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?

» 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. 

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?