MONDAY, July 19, 2010 (HealthDay News) -- Outdoor summer fun can sometimes lead to falls and injuries in children, so parents would be wise to get informed about the use of medical imaging tests before an emergency occurs that requires X-rays or CT scans, an expert says.
Recent media reports about high levels of ionizing radiation associated with frequent use of CT scans may cause parents to be concerned about the safety of radiology and imaging tests in children, noted Dr. Helene Pavlov, radiologist-in-chief at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, in a news release from the hospital.
Because children are still growing, their bodies are more susceptible than adults to the effects of ionizing radiation, so it's important to limit children's exposure, Pavlov explained. Parents should ask if their hospital emphasizes ALARA, the acronym for "as low as reasonably achievable" with regard to ionizing radiation, she suggested.
Before agreeing to an imaging examination for a child, Pavlov advises parents to keep the following points in mind:
More information
The American College of Radiology, Radiological Society of North America has more about children and CT scans.