MONDAY, July 19 (HealthDay News) -- Outdoor summer fun can
sometimes lead to falls and injuries in children, so parents would
be wise to get informed about the use of medical imaging tests
before an emergency occurs that requires X-rays or CT scans, an
expert says.
Recent media reports about high levels of ionizing radiation
associated with frequent use of CT scans may cause parents to be
concerned about the safety of radiology and imaging tests in
children, noted Dr. Helene Pavlov, radiologist-in-chief at the
Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, in a news release
from the hospital.
Because children are still growing, their bodies are more
susceptible than adults to the effects of ionizing radiation, so
it's important to limit children's exposure, Pavlov explained.
Parents should ask if their hospital emphasizes ALARA, the acronym
for "as low as reasonably achievable" with regard to ionizing
radiation, she suggested.
Before agreeing to an imaging examination for a child, Pavlov
advises parents to keep the following points in mind:
- Ask what the doctor believes is the problem and whether it's
possible to use a non-ionizing radiation imaging method such as MRI
or ultrasound for diagnosis.
- Ensure that the radiation technologist shields the child and
confines the areas being exposed to ionizing radiation.
- Ask if the technique being used has been adjusted to the size
of the child.
- Ask about "repeat rates" -- that is, how often an image needs
to be repeated because of excessive motion, incorrect positioning
or improper technique. If a hospital's repeat rate is high, parents
may want to consider a different imaging center for their child's
examination, Pavlov suggested.
- It's also a good idea for parents to ask how many children
undergo medical imaging tests at a facility. The higher the
percentage of children, the more experience the imaging team has in
achieving a correct image on the first attempt.
More information
The American College of Radiology, Radiological Society of North
America has more about
children and CT scans.