Evaluation of Cumulative Effective Radiation Dose in Patients Under ۱۲ Years of Age

Background: The most important complication of X-ray overdose is the increased risk of malignancies, especially cancers in children. The present study was, then, conducted to evaluate the effective dose of cumulative radiation among the under-۱۲ patients referred to the CT-scan unit of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ahvaz, Iran, during ۲۰۱۸. Methods: This descriptive study was performed on ۱۲۰ patients who were selected through census sampling method. A data collection form and the patient's medical records were implemented for collecting the required information. Data were analyzed by SPSS ۲۲ software with a significance level of ۰.۰۵. Results: The average absorbed dose per unit volume was ۱۹.۹۰±۲.۰۷ for the head, ۳.۴۵ ±۱.۲۲ for the neck, ۲.۰۷±۱.۵۸ for the chest, and for the abdomen and pelvis it was equal to ۱.۷۶±۱.۶۹. The mean absorption dose per unit volume was significantly different between the two organs while comparing the chest with neck (P=۰.۰۰۳), abdomen and pelvis with neck (P=۰.۰۰۰۱) and abdomen and pelvis with chest (P=۰.۰۰۰۱) (P<۰.۰۵). The mean absorption dose along the length was ۲۷۸.۲۰ ±۷۱.۷۵ for the head, ۸۶.۸۸ ±۳۹.۶۴ for the neck, ۵۶.۱۰±۴۷.۶۶ for the chest, and for the abdomen and pelvis it was ۲۴.۶۴ ±۱۵.۵۶. The mean absorption dose along the length was significantly different while comparing the abdomen and pelvis with neck (P=۰.۰۰۰۱) and abdomen and pelvis with chest (P=۰.۰۰۰۱) (P<۰.۰۵). The thickness was ۴.۸ mm in the head, ۳ mm in the neck, ۸ mm in the chest, and ۵ mm in the abdomen and pelvis. Conclusion: By calculating the dose indices in children, and comparing them with the internationally approved normal doses, we can minimize the harmful effects of radiation on children. The staff and radiologists should be trained about the protocols and principles of radiation protection, as well as the quality control of devices.

Keywords:

Cumulative effective dose , Pediatric , CT scan section