Open AccessRadiation safety of women of the reproductive age: Evaluation of the role of referring physicians
Author(s) -
Akintunde Olusijibomi Akintomide,
Anthonia Ikpeme
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of family medicine and primary care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2278-7135
pISSN - 2249-4863
DOI - 10.4103/2249-4863.141618
Subject(s) - medicine , pregnancy , ionizing radiation , referral , obstetrics , radiation exposure , fetus , congenital malformations , cancer , pediatrics , gynecology , family medicine , nuclear medicine , irradiation , biology , genetics , physics , nuclear physics
Women between 12 and 50 years are in the reproductive age. The likelihood of or actual presence of pregnancy should be ruled out before they are exposed to medical ionizing radiation. Fetal exposure to ionizing radiation can either induce malformation (teratogenic) or cancer. They should be exposed only when it is safe for the fetus or when the benefit far outweighs the risk in urgent medical conditions. The radiation dose in medical imaging is generally below the threshold to induce malformation (100 mGy) in the fetus, but there is indeed no safe level as the risk of cancer induction later in life can occur at any dose. The referring physician must obtain the last menstrual period (LMP) and sometimes carry out pregnancy test before sending their patients for examinations using ionizing radiation. However, there are circumstances in which these rules are waived.