Ionising radiation from diagnostic x rays in very low birthweight babies.
OBJECTIVE
To quantify the exposure of very low birthweight neonates to ionising radiation from diagnostic x-rays.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis was made of all radiographs performed over 18 months in an integrated special care baby unit and regional neonatal surgical unit in a large teaching hospital of surviving inborn babies of very low birthweight (< 1500 g) admitted to the unit.


RESULTS
Fifty five VLBW neonates were treated for a total of 3296 days and received 498 radiographs (median 5 per infant). The mean effective radiation dose was 0.04 mSv and the maximum for one infant was 0.54 mSv.


CONCLUSIONS
The radiation burden in this group of neonates is low and the benefits of diagnostic radiographs far outweigh any potential radiation risks.
Department of Paediatric Surgery, Leeds General Infirmary.
P M
PM
Sutton
R J
RJ
Arthur
C
C
Taylor
M D
MD
Stringer
D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies