Exposure to ionizing radiation during pregnancy: perception of teratogenic risk and outcome.
We quantified the perception of teratogenic risk in women attending the Motherisk program for counseling about diagnostic radiation in pregnancy (n = 50) and compared it with a control group of women exposed to nonteratogenic drugs and chemicals (n = 48). Before receiving known information about the specific exposure, women exposed to radiation assigned themselves a significantly higher teratogenic risk compared with the control group (25.5 +/- 4.3% versus 15.7 +/- 3.0% for major malformations, P less than 0.01). The post-consultation perception of teratogenic risk did not differ between the two groups. Special consideration and attention should be given when counseling pregnant women exposed to low-dose ionizing radiation, as their misperception of teratogenic risk may lead them to unnecessary termination of their pregnancy.
Bentur
Y
Y
Motherisk Program, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Horlatsch
N
N
Koren
G
G
D000016:Abnormalities, Radiation-Induced; D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011839:Radiation, Ionizing; D011868:Radioisotopes / Q000009:adverse effects; D012306:Risk; D014965:X-Rays / Q000009:adverse effects
D011868:Radioisotopes