Dose Optimization and Radiation Safety for Paediatric Patients in North Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Ionizing radiation from medical sources, primarily diagnostic X-rays, constitutes the largest artificial contribution. Variances in patient  doses across radiological departments for similar examinations prompted surveys on patient doses in diagnostic radiology globally. The  study Assess the Entrance Skin Dose for paediatric patients during specific radiological exams (Chest AP/PA, Skull AP, and Pelvic AP) and  then compare the findings to the diagnostic reference levels established by international organizations. Three x-ray machines from three  different tertiary health institutions with facilities for paediatric radiography were used under clinical conditions for the selected  radiological examinations. A total of 135 TL dosimeter chips positioned selectively on patients at the axis of the primary X-ray beam to  capture entrance skin dose/dose equivalent Hp (0.07). The TLD chips underwent analysis by heating using Harshaw 4500 automatic TLD  reader and ESD for each patient was calculated using a given equation. Result indicated that the total average maximum and minimum  mean and standard error (SE) value of age group of the participants are 0.60±0.3 – 13.50±0.7, tube loading kVp as 54.90±0.0 – 73.70±1.3  and tube current mAs 4.5±0.2 – 12.5±1.0 respectively. The mean values of ESDs found at each hospital are much higher than, the same  published studies and the internationally recommended values and dose reference levels by National Radiation Protection Board (NRPB), International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), and European Commission (EU). This is presumably due to the use of low  kVp and high mAs at all hospitals compared to the recommendations by National Radiation Protection Board (NRPB), International  Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) and European Commission (EC).