1. Radiation Safety in Children 1

2. Contents Why worry about radiation exposure?
What are radiation issues unique to children?
Examples of radiation doses in imaging
What does “ALARA” mean?
What is the “Image Gently Campaign”?
Methods radiologists use to decrease pediatric radiation exposure
Methods health care professionals can use to optimize radiation use in children
Personal protection from radiation exposure at work 2

3. Why worry about radiation exposure?
Ionizing radiation is widely used in medicine and provides information that can save lives.
However, some studies have suggested that ionizing radiation can result in biologic damage to living tissue, including genes and germ cells.
Up to 70% of medical ionizing radiation exposure is from CT scans. X-rays and radionuclide studies also use ionizing radiation.
In 2009, for the first time radiation exposure to individuals exceeded natural background radiation. 3

4. Increase of medical ionizing radiation exposure from 1980 to 2006.
Fahey et al. THE JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR MEDICINE • Vol. 52 • No. 8 • August 2011

5. Question 1 Which of the following is true?
a) Ionizing radiation is widely used in medicine
b) Ionizing radiation may be harmful.
c) Ionizing radiation is of no concern.
d) A and C are correct.
e) A and B are correct.

6. What are radiation issues unique to children?
Tissues are more radiosensitive at younger ages.
Longer lifetime for children to experience radiation-induced injury (cancer, cataracts).
Important point: There is debate about low dose radiation (eg less than mSv) and development of cancer. Those proponents accept the linear, no threshold model: that response of radiation is linear (and what is seen at higher doses can be extended to lower dose range, and that there is no threshold below which cancer may not develop).
Hall Pediatric Radiology, Apr 2002, pg 226 6

7. Question 2
Children are at higher risk from ionizing radiation, because:
Children have a longer life span to experience injury
Tissue is more radiosensitive at a younger age
Exam doses can be cumulative over a life time
1-3 are all true 7

8. Typical Radiation Dose Equivalents (mSv)
Natural background (without medical exposure) 3.50
Average annual technologist dose 3.20
Airline passenger (per flight)
Flight crew / attendants (per year) 1.60
Dental x-rays 0.09
Chest radiograph 0.01
Mammogram (to 7.0)
Barium enema (adult) 8.75
Computed tomography (CT) ≤

9. Typical Ionizing Radiation Doses*
Relationship of
Typical Ionizing Radiation Doses*
Imaging study
Chest x-ray equivalents
2-view chest 1
Fluoroscopy cystogram 16
Chest CT
Up to 150
Abdomen CT
Up to 250
See also slides #21 and 24
* 5 year old patient, effective whole body dose equivalent 9 9

10. Question 3
The radiation dose for one CT scan is equal to how many 2 view chest radiographs?
A. 1 CT = 1 CXR
B. 1 CT = 10 CXR
C. 1 CT = 150 CXR
D. 1 CT = 500 CXR 10

11. The ALARA Concept
ALARA is an acronym that stands for “As Low As Reasonably Achievable”.
ALARA is a concept that guides health care professionals towards reduction of exposure to ionizing radiation.
The concept is to expose a patient to the lowest possible radiation dose while maintaining diagnostic quality if the study is indicated.

12. Question 4
The following statement regarding the ALARA concept is correct:
a) ALARA stands for “As Low As Reasonably Achievable”.
b) ALARA reminds health care professionals of limiting radiation exposure whenever possible.
c) ALARA says that studies with radiation should not be used in children.
d) A and B are correct

13. Image Gently Campaign
The “Image Gently Campaign” was launched to raise awareness of ionizing radiation exposure risks.
The campaign reaches out to the general public, politicians, health care workers, patients and their families. 13

14. Question 5 The primary goal of the “Image Gently Campaign” is to:
a) Promote techniques that can lower radiation exposure when imaging children.
b) Raise awareness of radiation exposure risks in everyone.
c) Punish health care professionals who expose their patients to unnecessary levels of ionizing radiation.
d) A and B 14

15. Minimizing ionizing radiation exposure
Radiology professionals optimize ionizing radiation dose by:
Imaging only when there is a clear medical benefit.
Optimizing imaging protocols for ages and sizes.
Providing updated equipment that utilizes less ionizing radiation.
Limiting radiation exposure to the area of interest.
Avoiding multiple scans.
Using non-radiation diagnostic studies, such as US and MRI, when possible.
Involving a physicist to oversee quality assurance of dose parameters and equipment. 15

16. Example: Dose reduction up to 50%
can be achieved with “Automated Exposure Control” - a technology that is standard on modern CT scanners.
Radiology: Volume 258: Number 3—March 2011

17. Methods health care professionals can use to minimize ionizing radiation use in children
Health care professionals can significantly reduce ionizing radiation exposure by asking the following questions:
Is it appropriate to do the exam?
Is this appropriate timing of the exam or should another diagnostic test be done first?
What is the appropriate imaging modality for the clinical question?
In order to answer some of these questions clinicians need to have a basic understanding of imaging modalities or access to radiologists for consultation. 17

18. Question 6
Clinicians can help reduce ionizing radiation exposure by asking the following questions:
a) Is it appropriate to do the exam?
b) Is this appropriate timing of the exam?
c) What is the appropriate imaging exam for the clinical question?
d) All the above. 18

19. Appropriateness
For many diseases there are clinical guidelines (“best practice”, “evidence-based medicine”) that set forth very well defined clinical criteria as an indication for imaging.
Clinicians should use these guidelines to determine if an imaging study, especially one with ionizing radiation exposure, is necessary. 19

20. Question 7
Which of the following ensures that the appropriate diagnostic imaging study is being ordered
a) Use guidelines from accepted “best practices” or “evidence-based medicine”
b) Use guidelines that have been established by the American College of Radiology
c) Consult with a radiologist.
d) All the above. 20

21. Timing and Modality
At times a clinical question can be answered using a modality that does not involve ionizing radiation exposure.
Clinicians should consider other modalities such as US or MRI when a clinical question requires imaging.
Reviewing results from previous exams may help in preventing unnecessary repetition of imaging studies.
Clinicians can consult with a radiologist to determine the best modality for a given clinical problem.

22. Personal protection Well fitted lead apron Leaded glasses
Thyroid shield
Lead gloves
Barrier shields
Ideally leaded aprons should extend to at least the level of the knees. Many leaded glasses have protective lead shielding laterally as well (middle bottom image). Bottom right image shows thin leaded gloves which can be used if hands need to be very near to the beam and exposed to scatter, as with this anesthetist holding a mask 22

23. Question 8
What are ways in which you can protect yourself from radiation exposure?
Keep exposure time short.
Keep a large distance from the radiation source.
Wear a lead apron and neck shield.
Drink lots of water.
A-C are correct

24. Pregnancy
Pregnant patients may not be able to undergo an imaging study in order to protect the unborn fetus from untoward effects.
As a referring health care provider you can help protect the patient and fetus by obtaining a history regarding possibility of pregnancy and ordering a pregnancy test whenever the possibility exists.
Pregnancy evaluation at Children’s National should be done for all female patients ≥10 years prior to ionizing radiation exposure. Patients' pregnancy status and date of LMP must be documented for all female patients 10 years or older.
Please discuss imaging options for your patient with a radiologist if you have any questions.

25. Question 9
Which of the statements below regarding imaging of pregnant patients are true?
Very high doses of radiation can harm a fetus.
The potential for pregnancy should be considered in any female in which an ionizing radiation imaging study is being considered
Only A is correct.
A and B are correct

26. Downloadable Parent Pamphlets on www.imagegently.org
2 page and 8 page material 26

27. Question 10
What should be my attitude towards ionizing radiation as a health care professional?
I should think of ionizing radiation as of medication- it can have side effects, especially in young children.
The use of ionizing radiation is not hazardous at all.
Like with any other medication, I need to weigh the risks against the benefits.
A and C are correct

28. The “Step Lightly” Campaign
If you are a health care professional using ionizing radiation to help in your procedures, you can make a significant contribution to reducing ionizing radiation exposure
“Step lightly” on the fluoroscopy pedal- using the least amount of radiation you may need to perform a procedure.

29. Question 11 What is the “step lightly” campaign?
It is aimed at all physicians who use ionizing radiation for visualization during procedures
The campaign reminds those who use ionizing radiation by stepping on a foot pedal to avoid exposure for longer than necessary to perform the procedure safely and effectively.
It means to loose weight when using a foot pedal that controls ionizing radiation
It means to be quiet during the use of ionizing radiation.
A and B are correct

30. Image Gently
Just like medications that you are prescribing, studies that involve radiation exposure may have long term effects particularly in children.
Balance the risk and benefits for each individual patient in whom you are prescribing an imaging study.

31. Question 12
What should be my attitude towards ionizing radiation as a health care professional? a) I should think of ionizing radiation as of medication- it can have side effects, especially in young children. b) The use of ionizing radiation is not hazardous at all. c) Like with any other medication, I need to weigh the risks against the benefits. d) A and C are correct