Assessment of Peadiatric Radiation Dose from Routine X-Ray Examination: A Hospital Based Study, Taif Pediatric Hospital

Radiological imaging is an important part of today’s overall healthcare practicum, Imaging can begin as early as the first day of life but as children are more sensitive to radiation than adults special care should be in place. The main aim of the current study was to determine Entrance Surface Dose (ESD) to pediatric patients as the result of imaging procedure, in main pediatric hospital in Taif city –Saudi Arabia for the first time. 110 patients underwent different examinations (chest, abdomen, skull, and extremities), age range from 0-15 years .The patients biodata (age, weight, height, gender) were recorded. The exposure factors ,focal skin distance, tube output and back scatter factor were entered in special soft ware known by DOS CAL in order calculate the ESDs. The mean ESD obtained ranged 0.18 -0.32 mGy per radiograph for different ages and groups. No correlation coefficient was found between patient size (age or weight) and ESD, but significant correlation detected between ESD and tube potential difference (kV) encountered in these examinations. The results for pediatric radiation dose were agreed and compatible with literature. The radiation dose can be reduced more by optimization of each investigation and hence more studies is required for this task The results presented will serve as a baseline data needed for deriving local reference doses for pediatric X-ray examinations in this local department and hence it can be applied in the whole Kingdom.