Dose optimization and radiation safety for paediatric patients in Northeastern Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: 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.

Objective: 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.

Method: 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 where a total of 135 TL dosimeter chips were 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 a Harshaw 4500 automatic TLD reader and ESD for each patient was calculated using a given equation.

Results: The result indicated that the total average maximum and minimum mean and standard error (SE) values of the age group of the participant 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.

Conclusion: There is the use of low kVp and high mAs at all hospitals compared to the recommendations by the National Radiation Protection Board (NRPB), International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) and European Commission (EC).