title: Radiation dose measurements for optimisation of chest X-ray examinations of children in general radiography hospitals.
abstract: This study was performed to measure the entrance surface air kerma (ESAK) for optimisation of chest X-ray examination of children in general radiography hospitals in Khartoum. ESAK was estimated using the X-ray tube output exposure and patient-specific exposure parameters collected during routine examinations. The estimated ESAK values per radiography ranged from 17 to 89 μGy, 32 to 161, 67 to 242, 77 to 278; and from 95 to 389 μGy for Newborn, 1, 5, 10 and 15 y children, respectively. Doses are comparable with a previous study and are somewhat higher than the UK reference dose levels. The study demonstrated the necessity to follow guidelines for quality radiograph as a key element in the optimisation of X-ray examination of children. Frequent dose measurements are of particular importance for the optimisation of X-ray examination of children in general radiography hospitals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology & Molecular Imaging, Medical Physics Section, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, PO 35, Al-Khod 123, Oman.
authors.forename: Ibrahim I
authors.initials: II
authors.lastname: Suliman
authors.forename: Sahar O
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Elawed
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001822:Body Burden; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011835:Radiation Protection; D011859:Radiography; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D012062:Relative Biological Effectiveness; D012307:Risk Factors