title: Practical strategies to reduce pediatric CT radiation dose.
abstract: The objective of this article is to provide a brief review of CT scanning radiation sensitivity in children and explain CT scan parameters that affect radiation dose. We discuss key factors influencing radiation dose and study quality and how these factors can be used to optimize scan protocols with the goal of reducing pediatric CT radiation dose without compromising diagnostic quality. Finally, we provide some practical tips for reducing radiation doses to children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California. Electronic address: tnelson@ucsd.edu.
authors.forename: Thomas R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Nelson
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000379:methods*; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000379:methods*; D011874:Radiometry / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
keywords: CT; Pediatric; automatic exposure control; dose; dose reduction; protocol optimization; radiation