[Radiation exposure of children in pediatric radiology].
OBJECTIVE
Analysis of all relevant data of X-ray examinations performed in a university children's hospital and stored electronically in a database since 1976.


METHODS
After 30 years of data gathering, the database now covers 276 739 radiological examinations (radiographs & fluoroscopies) of all age groups from newborns to adolescents. This database now encompasses basic personal patient data, type of the radiological procedure, individual radiographic/fluoroscopic settings, dose measurements (dose area product), individual referral criteria and radiological diagnosis. The preparation and analysis of this database was made with a set of self-written algorithms (PC program: PADOS [Programm zur PAdiatrischen DOSimetrie = Program for PEdiatric DOSimetry]).


RESULTS
The frequency of childhood X-rays and fluoroscopic examinations per patient has substantially changed over the last 30 years. We could show that the indication for X-ray diagnostics for newborns and infants was higher than for the other childhood age groups. In addition, the number of patients who had a high number of X-ray examinations clearly declined in the last years and the time for standard fluoroscopic examinations was considerably reduced.


CONCLUSIONS
A comprehensive database as described is a prerequisite for quality assurance in X-ray diagnostics as well as for the calculation of cumulative radiation dose and follow-up epidemiological studies.
Seidenbusch
M C
MC
Abteilung Radiologie, Dr. von Haunersches Kinderspital der Universität München.
Schneider
K
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D001822:Body Burden; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003196:Computer Graphics; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control; D011859:Radiography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011873:Radiology Information Systems; D011874:Radiometry / Q000379:methods*; D012062:Relative Biological Effectiveness; D012984:Software; D014600:Utilization Review / Q000706:statistics & numerical data