Abstract:
ionizing radiation than adults,with an increased risk of developing
radiation-induced cancer,special care should be taken when they
undergo X-ray examinations. The main aim of the current
study was to determine Entrance Surface Dose (ESD) to
pediatric patients arising from routine x-ray examination in the
Radiology Department of Jimma University Specialized Hospital
(JUSH).
METHODS: Descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on
pediatric patients less than 15 years of age who visited to seek xray examinations in JUSH. In this study, chest (AP), skull (AP),
Abdomen (AP) and Pelvic (AP) x-ray examinations were
analyzed. Radiographic exposure factors were recorded in each
examination. ESD was calculated using exposure parameters.
The calculated ESD values were weighed against the
Diagnostic Reference Level (DRL) recommended doses and
similar published studies. Comparison was made among
different age groups through mean comparison.
RESULT: The obtained ESD values were mostly higher than the
values in internationally published studies and DRL for all age
groups. For chest AP, the mean ESD values were 1.82mGy which
is higher than similar studies in Nigeria (0.642Mgy), Brazil
(o.o62mGy) and NRPB (0.050mGy) for ages of 0-1 years.
CONCLUSION: The higher pediatric patient dose obtained in this
study is a further indicator that doses delivered to pediatric patients
are not according to ALARA principle, and there is a need to
optimize service and patients’ radiation exposure in JUSH in
particular and in Ethiopia in general
