title: The pulmonologist's role in caring for pregnant women with regard to the reproductive risks of diagnostic radiological studies or radiation therapy.
abstract: Radiography of the chest, head, neck, teeth, or extremity exposes the embryo or ovary to insignificant exposures of radiation except when radionuclides are utilized. In some instances, there is no exposure at all. Pulmonologists are fortunate with regard to the specific studies they request to provide clinical care because most of the diagnostic tests do not directly expose the uterus (embryo) or ovary. This article discusses radiation risks and their evaluation and pregnancy-related issues in diagnostic radiological studies.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Pediatrics, Radiology, Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, 1025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; Clinical and Environmental Teratology Laboratory, Research Department, Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, PO Box 269, Wilmington, DE 19899, USA. Electronic address: rbrent@nemours.org.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Brent
mesh_terms: D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000528:radiation effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D010819:Physician's Role; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011295:Prenatal Care; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D015272:Pulmonary Medicine; D011859:Radiography / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012098:Reproduction / Q000528:radiation effects; D012306:Risk