X-ray examination is considered one of the most informative methods for examining internal organs. However, when it comes to children, parents are concerned about the question of at what age a child can be x-rayed. Concern for health is justified, because during the procedure the body is exposed to slight radiation. If an x-ray is unlikely to harm an adult, then in relation to a growing child’s body, caution will not be superfluous.
At what age and how often can children be x-rayed?
Modern medical equipment significantly limits the negative effects of radiation on the body. The radiation dose with digital radiography can be 10 times lower than with the conventional film method, as with digital fluorography. However, when X-rays are performed on children, it is important to understand at what age the procedure will be completely safe.
Pediatricians freely prescribe examinations for children who reach 15 years of age. It is believed that from this age the human body has developed as a whole and small doses of ionizing radiation do not pose a danger to it. At a younger age, examination can be carried out if there are indications and a doctor’s prescription in cases where the risks associated with the procedure do not exceed the harm from an incorrect diagnosis. Indeed, in most cases, improper treatment or its absence can lead to more severe consequences than a small dose of ionizing radiation. Therefore, at what age a child can be x-rayed is decided in each case by the attending physician and parents.
Indications for x-rays of the chest cavity in children
The procedure is prescribed according to indications. The doctor prescribes a chest x-ray for children in the following situations:
- Injury.
- X-rays for bronchitis in children under one year of age suffering from asthma are performed for diagnostic purposes. Assess the condition of the breathing tubes.
- If the cough continues for weeks, the image will show whether the child has developed bronchopneumonia.
- Suspicion of an abscess in the lungs due to pneumonia in children.
- Positive response to a diagnostic test for tuberculosis.
- Preparation for surgery.
On X-ray, signs of pneumonia appear on the images as rounded areas of clearing, covering small areas or a significant part of the organ.
Indications for radiography in children
X-rays can reveal a huge number of different pathologies of internal organs, soft tissues and the osteoarticular system. However, there are several diseases in which the question of at what age a child can be x-rayed recedes into the background, and the specialist prescribes an examination without hesitation. These are injuries to the spine, limbs or skull, foreign bodies in the gastrointestinal tract and respiratory system, pleurisy or pneumonia, heart disease or other anomalies in the development of internal organs.
X-rays are often required when inflammatory processes develop. A child cannot always describe symptoms (especially at an early age), so sometimes a doctor prescribes an examination to make a diagnosis and treatment.
With hip dysplasia, the question of at what age can children be x-rayed fades into the background. Without proper treatment, this congenital pathology can lead to impaired leg function, leaving the child disabled for life. To diagnose a dangerous pathology, a specialist may prescribe an x-ray at its first signs. Even at the age of 4-5 months.
Indications
X-rays are usually performed according to indications such as:
- treatment control;
- checking for pathological conditions;
- making an accurate diagnosis.
However, indications for radiography may vary depending on the part of the body or organ being examined. For example, when asked how often an X-ray of the lungs is done and when, we can say that it is necessary if pneumonia, pleurisy, bronchitis, tuberculosis or cancer are suspected. Also, this kind of diagnosis of the respiratory system is carried out for shortness of breath, dry cough of unknown etiology, pain in the back and chest area, general weakness and high temperature of an unexplained cause.
X-ray of the digestive system is prescribed to assess the large intestine and the patency of the small intestine, detect foreign bodies in the stomach, esophagus or intestines, exclude various gastrointestinal diseases, as well as prepare for surgery and much more. Speaking of the urinary system, here to study the ureter and kidneys, the urethra and the bladder itself. Musculoskeletal – for examining bones and joints, as well as recognizing deformations and injuries visible in the image, identifying fractures, detecting osteoporosis, dysplasia, dislocations, neoplasms and curvatures. Cardiovascular - for studying the heart and blood vessels, as well as if there is a suspicion of any disease of the corresponding system, with heart defects and impaired blood flow.
In general, studies that involve X-rays include fluorography, HSG (hysterosalpingography) and CT, densitometry and mammography.
At what age can X-rays be taken?
It is important to remember that minors are not responsible for their health. Therefore, the question of whether it is worth conducting an examination and at what age you can have an x-ray for your child is decided by parents or legal representatives. If the doctor prescribed the procedure, it means that he decided that the risk was justified, and this opinion is worth listening to.
How often throughout the year?
The negative effects of ionizing radiation can accumulate in the body. Therefore, the question of whether it is possible to do an X-ray on a child and at what age it is permissible to conduct an examination, the frequency of procedures is not so important.
It all depends on the type of x-ray and what equipment is used to conduct the examination. For example, chest x-ray
can be carried out up to 5-6 times a year, dental examinations can be prescribed much more often.
Harm from X-rays
Ionizing rays pass through the cells of the body, “charging” them and affecting the structure of molecules. If the radiation was strong enough, changes can lead to the development of somatic diseases.
Ionizing radiation has the greatest impact on the bone marrow, causing blood diseases. However, for negative consequences to occur, the body must receive a large dose of radiation. Therefore, when answering the question about at what age a child can be x-rayed, you need to take into account the doses of radiation that he receives as a result of medical procedures and from natural sources.
In Russia, the upper limit of radiation exposure for preventive medical studies of citizens is set at the legislative level at 1 millisievert (mSv) per year. A radiation dose exceeding 50 mSv poses a health risk. Moreover, in just one hour of flight on an airplane, a person receives up to 0.1 mSv of radiation. From natural sources, a person is exposed to ionizing radiation of 1 to 10 mSv per year.
During medical examinations, the body receives from 0.001 mSv (with radiography of the bones of the extremities) to 10 mSv (with computed tomography of the whole body), and, for example, conventional fluorography carries a radiation dose equal to 0.5 mSv.
How often can a chest x-ray be done?
X-rays of the lungs can be done as often as the doctor prescribes. X-ray examination is accompanied by radiation exposure to the human body. The dangers of radiation have been confirmed by clinical studies.
There are different effects from the influence of chronic and acute doses.
When performing an X-ray examination, low-dose radiation is generated. With frequent and prolonged exposure to the body, it leads to genetic mutations of cells. An acute radiation reaction is accompanied by rapid death of organs and tissues. Doctors understand the difference between the benefits and harms of X-rays, so they prescribe X-rays of the lungs only when indicated.
A dubious path from the left root to the apex of the lung on the fluorogram. To exclude tuberculosis, additional studies are necessary - x-ray in frontal and lateral projection + tomography of the root and apex
How often can an X-ray of the lungs be taken? The answer to the question is individual. It depends on the purpose and health characteristics of the patient. Medical radiation differs from the background of the planet at least in that it is ionizing. A special feature of the beam is that it is destroyed 5 minutes after exposure to the X-ray tube.
We evaluate how often to do chest x-rays:
The purpose of the study is diagnostic or therapeutic; The level of human radiation exposure during previous radiography (we study the patient’s individual radiation passport); We evaluate the benefits and harms of the study.
What is preventive radiography (fluorography)
Preventive radiography (fluorography) is used to differentiate between normal and pathological conditions. It can only be done once a year. A child under 18 years of age cannot undergo fluorography by order of the Ministry of Health in order to prevent the negative impact of x-ray examination on multiplying cells.
What is a diagnostic x-ray
Diagnostic x-rays are prescribed as many times as necessary for the doctor to establish a diagnosis of lung pathology and assess the dynamics of treatment. This approach can only be explained by the fact that the harm from an undetected disease (pneumonia, cancer, tuberculosis) is fatal, and the harmfulness of radiation is minimal (0.42 mSv for photographs in frontal and lateral projections).
Therapeutic x-ray of the lungs - what is it?
Therapeutic X-ray of the lungs is used by oncologists for radiation therapy of the disease. With its help, pathological cells are destroyed. This type of X-ray diagnosis can be done as often as needed to fight tumors. Even a child undergoes a medical examination, since cancer is a life-threatening pathology.
How many times a year are lung x-rays taken?
Telling how many times a year X-rays of the lungs are taken, we remind readers that a preventive examination of the lungs should be performed once every 12 months. In this case, the total human radiation dose should not exceed 1 mSv.
Children under 18 years old are given a diagnostic x-ray if the disease is suspected, but fluorography is contraindicated.
Some doctors are of the opinion that X-ray diagnostics are indicated for the patient as many times as pathology is detected in the image. This opinion is not rational, since most diseases of the chest organs are determined by other less dangerous methods - auscultation, ultrasound examination, laboratory blood test from a finger or a vein.
It is not rational to perform x-rays a large number of times while the patient’s condition is dynamically improving. Such exposure is absolutely unnecessary. It’s a different matter when there is a suspicion of lung cancer.
It is necessary to take photographs if the disease is suspected and there is no progress in the treatment of the pathology.
How is an X-ray performed?
The tactics of the procedure depend on the area being examined and the examination method. Most often, the small patient takes a horizontal position on his back or side. In some cases, the child needs to take an upright position.
X-rays are taken for children in a matter of seconds, but it is important for parents to know at what age their child is able to remain still for short periods of time. In some cases, young patients need to be calmed or even “lulled to sleep.”
X-ray for children of any age
Lung X-rays can be performed on children of any age, even newborns. Our equipment and special devices for protection and fixation allow us to conduct research safely and efficiently.
Our X-ray is safe for your child
The technique of examining children using X-rays has been used for more than 120 years, and today all risks are minimized. More and more modern and advanced equipment is being used, execution times are being reduced to a second, and effective protection is being used.
When a child’s illness poses a serious danger, the lesser of two evils is chosen. X-rays in our clinic can be considered completely safe for children.
A timely X-ray done for children at the Osnova Children clinic helps not only make a timely diagnosis, effectively treat, but sometimes even save a life.
