[en] In the last ten years, the number of paediatric computed tomography (CT) scans have increased worldwide, contributing to higher population radiation dose. Technique diversification in paediatrics and different CT equipment technologies have led to various exposure levels complicating precise evaluation of doses and operational conditions necessary for good quality images. The objective of this study was to establish a quantitative relationship between absorbed dose and cranial region in children up to 6 years old undergoing CT exams. Methods: X-ray was measured on the cranial surface of 64 patients undergoing CT using thermoluminescent (T.L.) dosimeters. Forty T.L.D.100 thermoluminescent dosimeters (T.L.D.) were evenly distributed on each patients skin surface along the sagittal axis. Measurements were performed in facial regions exposed to scatter radiation and in the supratentorial and posterior fossa regions, submitted to primary radiation. T.L.D. were calibrated for 120 kV X-ray over the acrylic phantom. T.L. measurements were made with a Harshaw 4000 system. Patient mean T.L. readings were determined for position, pi, of T.L.D. and normalized to the maximum supratentorial reading. From integrating the linear T.L. density function (?) resulting from radiation distribution in each of the three exposed regions, dose fraction was determined in the region of interest, along with total dose under the technical conditions used in that specific exam protocol. For each T.L.D. position along the patient cranium, there were n T.L. measurements with 2% uncertainty due to T.L. reader, and 5% due to thermal treatment of dosimeters. Also, mean T.L. readings and their uncertainties were calculated for each patient at each position, p. Results: Mean linear T.L. density for the region exposed to secondary radiation defined by position, 0.3≤p≤6 cm, was ρ((p)=7.9(4)x10^-2+7(5)x10^-5p^4.5(4) cm^-1; exposed to primary X-ray for the posterior fossa region defined by position 6.0< p≤9.6 cm, and supratentorial defined by position 9.6≤p≤12.3 cm, were ρ(p)=30(8)x10^-1+47(10)x10^-3p cm^-1 and ρ((p) 0,87(7)-0,007(7)p cm^-1 respectively. As the exam protocol used 120 kV, 300 mAs, and slice thickness/spacing of 3/5 mm and 5/7 mm for the posterior fossa and supratentorial regions respectively, total calculated dose was 11.3(3.3) mGy. Eye region calculated dose was 0.4(0.1) mGy. Conclusion: Thermoluminescent dosimetry can be used in determining integral patient absorbed dose distribution in the three cranial regions under different X-ray exposure conditions. The proposed function permitted dose estimation in cranial paediatric exams independent of mAs because maximum T.L readings were determined in the supratentorial region, maintaining the above-mentioned operational and geometrical conditions. (authors)