Pediatric dose assessment in common CT examination towards establishment of related regional DRL in Mazandaran, Iran

Background: Computed Tomography (CT) is main contributor of popula on dose from diagnos c X-ray examina ons. Children are more radiosensi ve than adults, thus op miza on of CT examina on in these pa ents is essen al. The purpose of this study was to evaluate dose delivered to pediatric pa ents’ undergoing CT examina on of the common examina ons and also establishing local Diagnos c Reference Levels (DRLs). Materials and Methods: Ques onnaires were designed for data collec on at seven public hospitals and informa on about pa ent, protocol and CT system were recorded during 2013 and 2014. Dose measurement was performed in four age groups: 0-1, 15, 5-10 and 10-15 years old and two CT dose quan ty including CTDIw and DLP were calculated. Results: Values of 40, 48, 59.5, 59.5 mGy; 16.9, 16.9, 17.14, 17.14 mGy; 17, 17, 17, 17 mGy; 17, 17, 19.2, 19.2 mGy in terms of CTDIw and 448, 538, 758, 758 mGy cm; 129, 129, 154, 167 mGy cm; 184, 225, 306, 315 mGy cm; 289, 408, 595, 670 mGy cm in terms of DLP as regional DRL for brain, sinus, chest, abdomen and pelvic examina ons were obtained respec vely. Conclusion: The varia ons in dose of some examina on were considerable. As the role and usage of CT technology con nues to expand, it is important that all prac oners adapt op mized protocols, especially for pediatrics scanning, following proposed reference levels.