Evaluation of the Entrance Surface Dose (ESD) in Neonatal Portable Chest and Abdomen X-Rays

Background and Objective: Portable chest and abdomen X-rays are frequently requested for neonate patients’ hospitalized at neonatal intensive care units (NICU). Evidence showed that there is an extensive variation in the amount of radiation dose received by neonates undergoing these two types of examinations. These variations result in unnecessary radiation exposure to the neonate patients. Therefore, patients dose monitoring is crucial in order to ensure preventing unnecessary radiation exposure to patients. The aim of this study was to measure the entrance surface dose (ESD) in neonates undergoing chest and abdomen X-rays and comparison with the recommended diagnostic reference levels (DRL). Materials and Methods: This study was performed at two NICUs of the teaching hospital of Dezful university of medical sciences namely Dr. Ganjavian. The studied population included 50 neonates aged from 1 to 21 days undergoing portable chest or abdomen X-rays. The radiation dose measurements were performed using thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD) model GR200. Before irradiates, the TLDs were calibrated. During X-rays, the number of three TLDs was located at the central radiation field for each radiograph and then read by TLD reader. Data were analyzed using SPSS 21. Findings: Of 50 neonates included in this study, 32 patients have chest X-rays and 18 patients have abdomen X-rays. The mean of patients’ age and weight were 10 days and 2590 gr for chest X-rays and 12 days and 2620 gr for abdomen X-rays, respectively. The mean of ESD for the chest and abdomen were 81 μGy and 78.3 μGy, as well. No statistically significant correlation were found between patients age and weight with ESD. Conclusion: In this study, the mean of ESD for the chest and abdomen were consistent with the DRLs reported for the neonatal chest and abdomen X-rays in Iran.

Keywords:

ESD , Chest , Abdomen , Portable , X-Ray