Evaluation of radiation dose in pediatric radiological exams

Abstract Background Pediatric patients are in a phase of high anatomical and physiological development, whose characteristics make them more radiosensitive to certain radiation exposures. Exposure to doses of radiation can lead to the occurrence of biological effects, including cancer. Objectives To analyze radiation exposures resulting from pediatric radiological examinations and to perform an optimization process, with the purpose to adequate use of the principles of radiological protection. Methods The analysis of radiation doses was performed using the technical parameters of the tests (voltage, current, exposure time and focus-skin distance), the patient's parameters (age, weight and thickness), the calculation of the radiation dose, using the output of the X-ray tube, all recorded at the time of the examination. The results were classified into 4 age groups and 5 weight groups. Results The results were classified according to the patient's age and weight, taking into account the radiation dose received. The data were also separated by gender, as the analysis showed that female patients are slightly smaller than male patients, and as a consequence, the doses received by this gender were lower. Examinations of the chest, abdomen, pelvis, skull and sinuses were analyzed and some groups received higher doses compared to other studies and international dose reference levels (DRL). Conclusions An optimization study must be carried out to verify the possible cause of such values, readjusting the values of the technical parameters and performing a new radiation dose analysis.