title: Carcinogenic risks of prenatal ionizing radiation.
abstract: The risk of cancer in offspring who have been exposed to diagnostic X-ray procedures while in utero has been debated for 55 years. High doses at high dose rates to the embryo or fetus (e.g. >0.5 Gy) increase the risk of cancer. This has been demonstrated in human epidemiology studies as well as in mammalian animal studies. Most pregnant women exposed to diagnostic X-ray procedures or the diagnostic use of radionuclides receive doses to the embryo or fetus <0.1 Gy. The risk of cancer in offspring exposed in utero at a low dose such as <0.1 Gy is controversial and has not been determined.
authors.affiliation: Thomas Jefferson University, Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Room 308, A/R Building, PO Box 269, Wilmington, DE 19899, USA. Electronic address: rbrent@nemours.org.
authors.forename: Robert L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Brent
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000209:etiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000209:etiology*; D011839:Radiation, Ionizing; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: Cancer; Carcinogenic risks; Fetus; Ionizing radiation