Towards radiation risk in pediatric nuclear medicine

Patients and particularly the parents of young patients are frequently concerned about the radiation risk associated with nuclear medicine procedures. It is important to explain these risk in clear way, placing them in the perspective of radiologic and other risk as well as in relation to the benefits to be gained. In this contribution we would like to compare the effective doses associated with the use of radiopharmaceuticals in paediatric diagnostic nuclear medicine with other medical uses of ionizing radiation (diagnostic X-rays) as well as from natural sources and from other man-made sources in Slovakia. We are also comparing the risk of carcinogenesis from effective dose from diagnostic examinations in nuclear medicine with the risk to which individuals are subjected in our society, for instance smoking cigarettes or driving an automobile. (authors)