Reasons for Requesting a CT Scan and Amount of Radiation Exposure in Hospitalized Children, the Issue Needs Attention

Abstract

Background: Computerized Tomographic (CT) scan is a rapid, non-invasive, and common diagnostic modality in radiology. More and faster growth of cells, as well as longer lifespan of a child, may lead to a cumulative effect of radiation and a greater chance of mutation, especially in children who are more vulnerable. Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the current trend in the use of this modality. Methods: In this descriptive study, all cases of children admitted to Taleghani Hospital who were studied by CT scan during the years 2018 - 2019, entered in survey. Demographic information, anatomical location of the scan, findings from the CT scan report, initial and final diagnosis, number of scans, patient’s complaint that led to his hospitalization and total amount of radiation received by the patient were analyzed. The data were analyzed by SPSS software version 23 with descriptive statistics (frequency, frequency percentage, and mean and standard deviation). Results: In this study, 344 scans of 280 patients were reviewed. Out of 280 patients, 222 patients underwent scan of one, 55 patients of two and four patients of three different anatomical locations. There were 146 male patients (52.1%) with a mean age of 57.7 months and 134 female patients (47.9%) with a mean age of 54.7 months. Out of all scans, the brain constituted 43.6%, chest 30.52%, and other areas 25%. The CT scan was performed at the request of the physician in charge. Pneumonia (19%) followed by convulsion (17%) and febrile seizures (12%) were the most common final diagnoses. The number of completely normal CT scans was 151 (44.2%), with brain scans having the highest frequency of normal scans with 74.19%. Brain scans with an average of 358.66 milliGray.centimeter (mGy.cm) and a maximum of 995.30 mGy.cm had the highest average absorbed dose. Conclusions: In this study, the rate of normal CT scans was relatively high and the range of radiation exposure available for each modality was significantly wide. Effective interventions must be made in this regard.