RADIATION EXPOSURE IN CHILDREN WITH HEART DISEASE

Journal Article · Sat Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1962 · American Heart Journal (U.S.)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0002-8703(62)90171-0· OSTI ID:4711784

Spach, M S

To evaluate the possible excessive radiation exposure of children with heart defects, dosimetry data for pediatric radiodiagnostic procedures were compiled. Means were also sought for reducing exposure to minimal levels consistent with adequate diagnostic practices. When fluoroscopy is necessary, a 10- to 50-fold reduction in exposure can be obtained by substituting the image amplifier for the regular fluoroscope. Pediatric exposure with techniques employing radioisotopes is also evaluated, especially those involving I/sup 131/. If I/sup 131/-Hippuran is used for renal studies, it is rapidly excreted by the kidneys, so that the effective half life in the body is less than 1 hr, even with poor renal function. Precautionary measures include administration of iodine (to block the uptake of I/sup 131/ by the thyroid gland) and adequate hydration to insure early voiding (to minimize pelvic irradiation). With these measures, when 15 mu C are injected into a child weighing 40 kg, the whole-body beta dose is y from 92% to 6 0.0002 rad, and the gamma dose is 0.00013 r. The gonadal exposure from I/sup 131/ (in the dosage mentioned) is significantly less than gonadal exposure from routine chest films and fluoroscopy. The presert consensus is that radioisotopes should be used in children only for situations in which information cannot be gained by other methods. Moreover, fluoroscopy of pediatric cardiac patients as a routine procedure in office practice should not be performed since x-ray films usually supply adequate information. (TCO)

• Research Organization: Duke Univ., Durham, N.C.
• NSA Number: NSA-17-018398
• OSTI ID: 4711784
• Journal Information: American Heart Journal (U.S.), Journal Name: American Heart Journal (U.S.) Vol. Vol: 64; ISSN AHJOA
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ABSORPTION
AGE
BETA PARTICLES
BODY
DIAGNOSIS
DISEASES
FLUORESCENCE
GAMMA RADIATION
GONADS
HALF-LIFE
HEALTH AND SAFETY
HEART
HIPPURAN
HIPPURIC ACID
IMAGES
INTESTINE
IODINE 131
IRRADIATION
KIDNEYS
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
MAN
MEASURED VALUES
OPTICAL SYSTEMS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
PELVIS
PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM
PREGNANCY
RADIATION DOSES
RADIOGRAPHY
SAFETY
SODIUM COMPOUNDS
STANDARDS
THYROID
TRACER TECHNIQUES
X RADIATION