Radiation hazards in a paediatric intensive care unit.
Radiation doses received by premature babies X-rayed in an ICU were measured. The average dose for a single exposure was 12 mrad to the sternum, 10 mrad to the neck and 2-2.2 mrad to the gonads. The average number of X-ray exposures was 26.9 with 2 children being in the 100 greater than range. Radiation hazards due to a maximum possible dose of 1 rad are discussed. The present series is compared with similar population groups exposed to low dose radiation. The possibility of an increased incidence of leukemia and thyroid carcinoma is considered.
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D007953:Leukemia, Radiation-Induced / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000209:etiology; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011831:Radiation Genetics; D011859:Radiography / Q000009:adverse effects; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012306:Risk