![]() ![]() Specifically, exposure to less than 5 rad has not been associated with an increase in fetal anomalies or pregnancy loss.”- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 7 “Women should be counseled that x-ray exposure from a single diagnostic procedure does not result in harmful fetal effects. “ risk is considered to be negligible at 5 rad or less when compared to the other risks of pregnancy, and the risk of malformations is significantly increased above control levels only at doses above 15 rad.”- National Council on Radiation Protection 5 “No single diagnostic procedure results in a radiation dose that threatens the well-being of the developing embryo and fetus.“- American College of Radiology 3 ![]() Iodine ( 131I), at fetal thyroid tissue 6Įnvironmental background radiation (cumulative dose over nine months) 8 Number of examinations required for a cumulative 5-rad dose † ![]() Appropriate counseling of patients before radiologic studies are performed is critical.Įstimated fetal dose per examination (rad) * Such exposure is not an indication for pregnancy termination. Rare consequences of prenatal radiation exposure include a slight increase in the incidence of childhood leukemia and, possibly, a very small change in the frequency of genetic mutations. Nonurgent radiologic testing should be avoided during this time. The most sensitive time period for central nervous system teratogenesis is between 10 and 17 weeks of gestation. For example, the amount of exposure to the fetus from a two-view chest x-ray of the mother is only 0.00007 rad. The accepted cumulative dose of ionizing radiation during pregnancy is 5 rad, and no single diagnostic study exceeds this maximum. In reality, however, the risks to the developing fetus are quite small. The patient and her physician may be concerned about potential harm to the fetus from radiation exposure. Maternal illness during pregnancy is not uncommon and sometimes requires radiographic imaging for proper diagnosis and treatment. ![]()
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