Journal of Medical Physics and Applied Sciences

Evaluation of Radiation Dose Received by Pediatrics Patients during Routine X-Ray Examinations of the Chest in Three Selected Hospitals in Cameroon

The radiation risks associated with children are higher than the risks for adults. Children have growing organs and they have a longer life expectancy than that of adults. Consequently, the effects of damage from radiation could be greater in children than in adults. This study sought to measure the mean Entrance Surface Dose (ESD) and third quartile values for pediatrics chest X–ray examinations, compare these to findings and recommendations from other studies and propose methods of dose reduction in three hospitals (H1–H3) in Cameroon. The age groups considered in this study were <1 year, 1–< 5 years, 5–<10 years and 10–15 years. The mean ESD for the chest AP in the age range < 1year in the three hospitals (H1–H3) were respectively 0.10, 0.09, 0.66 mGy; for the age 1-<5years were respectively 0.12, 0.10, 0.48 mGy and for the age range 5-<10 years were respectively 0.13, 0.09, 0.34 mGy. According to NRPB 2000, the reference levels are given in defined age that is (newborn, 1 year, 5 years, and 10 years). For example, for AP and PA chest radiographs; 0.05 mGy for newborns and 1 year old, 0.07 mGy for 5 years and 0.12 mGy for 10 years old children. It is difficult to compare this reference with the results of this study where age range had been used to evaluate the mean ESD values but can still provide useful information for comparison. A weak correlation was also found between ESD and weight/age. The fluctuation of dose from one hospital to another is an indication that there is a need for optimization in pediatrics radiography. This can be done through Quality Assurance Programs (QAP).

Author(s): Odette Ngano Samba, Chi Emmanuel *, C. Tetchoka Manemo and L. C. Fai

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