Brindhaban A, Eze C U
Department of Radiologic Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Kuwait University, Sulaibikhat.
Med Princ Pract. 2006;15(4):260-5. doi: 10.1159/000092987.
It was the aim of this study to investigate radiation doses for commonly performed paediatric X-ray examinations (skull, chest, abdomen and pelvis) in public hospitals in Kuwait in order to establish national reference or guidance dose levels.
Exposure factors used for six commonly performed X-ray examinations - antero-posterior (AP) chest, lateral chest, AP abdomen, AP skull, lateral skull and AP pel vis - were obtained from various hospitals, and entrance surface doses (ESD) were measured using a Victoreen model 660 survey meter. Effective doses (E) and the corresponding risk of developing fatal malignancies were calculated using published conversion factors and methods recommended by the International Commission of Radiological Protection for newborn babies to 1-year-old infants.
The range of ESD values was 26- 668 microGy for newborn babies and 40-700 microGy for 1-year- old infants. The range of E values was about 4-150 microSv for the two age groups. The risk of developing long-term stochastic effects due to radiation exposure ranges between 0.6 and 23.4 per million.
The range of ESD values, E values and risk of development of fatal malignancies obtained in this study can be used as a guide for the risk-benefit analysis of an X-ray examination for newborn babies and 1-year-old infants. Tube voltages used for these examinations should be kept above 60 kV, whenever possible, to minimise the radiation dose.
本研究旨在调查科威特公立医院中常见的儿科X线检查（头颅、胸部、腹部和骨盆）的辐射剂量，以确定国家参考或指导剂量水平。
从各医院获取六种常见X线检查（前后位胸部、侧位胸部、前后位腹部、前后位头颅、侧位头颅和前后位骨盆）所使用的曝光参数，并用Victoreen 660型剂量仪测量体表入射剂量（ESD）。采用国际放射防护委员会推荐的针对新生儿至1岁婴儿的已发表的转换系数和方法，计算有效剂量（E）以及发生致命性恶性肿瘤的相应风险。
新生儿的ESD值范围为26 - 668微戈瑞，1岁婴儿为40 - 700微戈瑞。两个年龄组的E值范围约为4 - 150微希沃特。因辐射暴露导致发生长期随机效应的风险在百万分之0.6至23.4之间。
本研究获得的ESD值范围、E值以及发生致命性恶性肿瘤的风险可作为新生儿和1岁婴儿X线检查风险效益分析的指导。这些检查所使用的管电压应尽可能保持在60 kV以上，以尽量降低辐射剂量。
