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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Introduction - Imaging diagnostic exams are often used during pregnancy. The most commonly used methods are those that do not pose a risk to the fetus, such as Ultrasound and Magnetic Resonance. Exams that involve the use of ionizing radiation are usually postponed or dismissed due to potential health risks to the fetus. However, a delayed diagnosis due to non-use of these exams may be more harmful to maternal and fetal health than the possible risks associated with the use of radiation. Methods - In this work, we propose to review the conclusions of the following articles: 1. Garcia TJ, Lara PHS, Kinjo CS, Bezerra EA, Higasiaraguti M, Oliveira NM, Sousa NC, Yonamine RY, Sales SMA, Morimoto TP, Zamboni JW, Sancovski M. Aspectos atuais em imagenologia na gestação. Arquivos Brasileiros de Ciências da Saúde. 2012 Dec; 47(3):143-148;
2. D’lppolito G, Medeiros RB. Exames Radiológicos na Gestação. Radiologia Brasileira. 2005 Nov/Dec; 38(6):447-450; 3. Baptista E, Domingues AP, Duarte H, Vasco E, Moura P. Segurança dos exames imagiológicos na gravidez. Acta Obstétrica e Ginecológica Portuguesa. 2014; 8(2):176-185; 4. Videira AI, Nogueira A. Exposição às Radiações Ionizantes na Gravidez: Efeitos Biológicos no Embrião e no Feto. Arquivos da Maternidade Dr. Alfredo da Costa. 2002 Dec;8(2):66-71. We have analyzed them and compiled in a single document the conclusions reached by these authors. It’s important to emphasize that none of the conclusions presented are of our authorship, we only refer the ideas of other authors. Keywords: “fetal exposure”; “dose limits”; “pregnancy”; “nuclear medicine”; “radiological examinations” Results - Exposure to fetal doses below 100 mGy is not associated with increased deterministic effects, so this dose is not considered indicative of pregnancy discontinuation. However, this hypothesis should be considered when the radiation dose is greater than 250 mGy (there is no exam that exposes the fetus to this level of radiation but may occur in a combination of tests). Conclusions - It’s of utmost importance, before prescribing a radiological examination to a pregnant woman, to be sure that it’s indispensable, that it cannot be postponed or if there is no other safer exam for the fetus that gives us the same information necessary for a correct diagnosis. If it cannot be avoided, before we submit a pregnant woman to ionizing radiation we must estimate the absorbed dose by the fetus, based on the protocol of the exam to be performed. Therefore, the fear that diagnostic exams that use ionizing radiation may be harmful to the fetus is, in most cases, unjustified, because the fetal dose received after most procedures is well below the threshold dose for the occurrence of deterministic effects.
Description
Keywords
Pregnancy Fetal exposure Magnetic resonance Ionizing radiation
Citation
Patrício C, Chagas R, Gonçalves S. Risks of fetal exposure to ionizing radiation. In: PRS 2017 – Conference "Proteção Radiológica na Saúde 2017", Instituto Superior Técnico (Lisboa), 27-29 de setembro de 2017.