DOSE EVALUATION FOR DIGITAL X-RAY IMAGING OF PREMATURE NEONATES

T J M Minkels; C R L P N Jeukens; P Andriessen; A N van der Linden; A J Dam; H L M van Straaten; E J E Cottaar; C van Pul

doi:10.1093/rpd/ncx062

DOSE EVALUATION FOR DIGITAL X-RAY IMAGING OF PREMATURE NEONATES

Radiat Prot Dosimetry. 2017 Dec 1;177(4):440-449. doi: 10.1093/rpd/ncx062.

Authors

T J M Minkels¹, C R L P N Jeukens², P Andriessen^{3

4}, A N van der Linden⁵, A J Dam⁶, H L M van Straaten⁷, E J E Cottaar⁸, C van Pul^{8

9}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Applied Physics, Eindhoven University of Technology, PO Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
² Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Centre, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands.
³ Department of Neonatology, Máxima Medical Centre, PO Box 7777, 5500 MB Veldhoven, The Netherlands.
⁴ Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Science, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands.
⁵ Department of Radiology, Máxima Medical Centre, PO Box 7777, 5500 MB Veldhoven, The Netherlands.
⁶ Medical Physics, Isala, PO Box 10400, 8000 GK Zwolle, The Netherlands.
⁷ Department of Neonatology, Isala, PO Box 10400, 8000 GK Zwolle, The Netherlands.
⁸ School of Medical Physics and Engineering Eindhoven, Eindhoven University of Technology, PO Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
⁹ Medical Physics, Máxima Medical Centre, PO Box 7777, 5500 MB Veldhoven, The Netherlands.

PMID: 29272884
DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncx062

Abstract

X-ray radiography is a commonly used diagnostic method for premature neonates. However, because of higher radiosensitivity and young age, premature neonates are more sensitive to the detrimental effects of ionising radiation. Therefore, it is important to monitor and optimise radiation doses at the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The number of x-ray examinations, dose-area product (DAP) and effective doses are evaluated for three Dutch NICUs using digital flat panel detectors. Thorax, thorax-abdomen and abdomen protocols are included in this study. Median number of examinations is equal to 1 for all three hospitals. Median DAP ranges between 0.05 and 1.02 μGy m2 for different examination types and different weight categories. These examinations result in mean effective doses between 4 ± 4 and 30 ± 10 μSv per examination. Substantial differences in protocols and doses can be observed between hospitals. This emphasises the need for up-to-date reference levels formulated specifically for premature neonates.

Publication types

Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

Humans
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Newborn, Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
Infant, Premature*
Intensive Care Units, Neonatal*
Monte Carlo Method
Netherlands
Radiation Dosage
Radiography, Abdominal*
Radiography, Thoracic*
Retrospective Studies
X-Rays