Irradiation of the foetus and the child during radiodiagnosis. Low doses

Controlling irradiation of the conceptus, the child and the adolescent due to radiodiagnosis techniques is of particular importance since these age groups are more sensitive to ionizing irradiation than adults. In addition the conceptus (embryo or foetus) often receives whole-body irradiation. Based on the data in the literature, it can only be demonstrated that, under normal diagnostic conditions, irradiation risks do exist. However, the aim of applying ethical standards based on the ''ALARA'' concept is to reduce the potential irradiation-related risk and to sustain a sufficiently high level of awareness of the potential danger in health careworkers. (author). 15 refs., 1 fig