Granata Claudio, Sofia Carmelo, Francavilla Mariantonietta, Kardos Marek, Kasznia-Brown Joanna, Nievelstein Rutger Aj, Olteanu Bogdan Stefan, Owens Catherine, Salerno Sergio, Sorantin Erich, Apine Ilze
Department of Radiology, Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Via Dell'Istria, 65, 34137, Trieste, TS, Italy.
Department of Biomedical Sciences and Morphologic and Functional Imaging, University of Messina, Policlinico "G. Martino", Messina, Italy.
Pediatr Radiol. 2025 Mar;55(3):386-396. doi: 10.1007/s00247-024-06009-0. Epub 2024 Aug 3.
Children are more sensitive to ionizing radiation than adults. Even though the risk is very low, exposure from radiological examinations can possibly cause them long-term side effects. Recent large epidemiological studies involving children and young adults have added evidence suggesting that even small doses of radiation, such as those from computed tomography scans, might slightly increase the risk of developing cancer later in life. Therefore, even though radiologic studies are essential for an accurate diagnosis and management of various conditions, it is crucial to minimize radiation exposure. This article addresses radiation protection for children in the medical use of ionizing radiation and it is set in the context of the European legislative framework regarding radiation protection. It advocates for a holistic approach to paediatric radiological tests. This approach includes the key principles of radiation protection, such as the justification of imaging procedures supported by referral guidelines, as well as the optimization of techniques (according to the ALARA principle) and effective communication with parents about the benefits and the risks of radiologic procedures. Protecting children from unnecessary radiation is not only a technical challenge, but also a moral obligation and a legal requirement.
儿童对电离辐射比成人更敏感。尽管风险很低，但放射检查产生的辐射仍可能给他们带来长期副作用。最近涉及儿童和青年的大型流行病学研究进一步证明，即使是小剂量辐射，如计算机断层扫描产生的辐射，也可能会略微增加日后患癌风险。因此，尽管放射学检查对于准确诊断和治疗各种病症至关重要，但将辐射暴露降至最低也至关重要。本文探讨了在医疗中使用电离辐射时对儿童的辐射防护问题，并以欧洲辐射防护立法框架为背景。它提倡采用整体方法进行儿科放射检查。这种方法包括辐射防护的关键原则，如依据转诊指南证明成像程序的合理性，以及优化技术（根据“尽可能合理达到最低水平”原则），并与家长就放射检查的益处和风险进行有效沟通。保护儿童免受不必要的辐射不仅是一项技术挑战，也是一项道德义务和法律要求。
