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The Effects of Ionizing Radiation in Pediatrics

Forms of radiation that carry enough energy to knock electrons free of their atomic orbitals are called ionizing radiation. Alpha particles, X-rays and gamma rays all fall into this category. X-rays in particular find a variety of applications in pediatric medicine.

  1. Types

    • X-ray imaging and computed tomography (CT) scans use X-rays to create pictures of internal structures like bones that doctors can't examine directly. Depending on their condition, children with cancer may be treated with ionizing radiation in an effort to kill the cancer cells; this procedure is called radiotherapy.

    Size

    • Diagnostic X-rays and CT scans entail only a very low level of exposure to radiation, although CT scans generally expose the patient to a larger dose than an X-ray. Radiotherapy uses a much higher level of radiation than either diagnostic procedure.

    Effects

    • Since ionizing radiation can damage cells and their DNA, exposure to high levels has the potential to increase a patient's cancer risk in the future. According to a 1998 article in the journal "Pediatrics," children treated with radiotherapy are at greater risk for developing secondary cancers later in life.

    Benefits

    • Diagnostic X-rays enable physicians to better assess and treat certain childhood injuries or disorders, while the risk of developing cancer from the level of radiation used in these tests is extremely low. Radiotherapy entails more exposure to ionizing radiation, but can be an effective treatment for cancers like brain tumors.

    Considerations

    • Although the risk is small, ionizing radiation is potentially more harmful to the growing cells and tissue in children than to adults; according to an estimate cited by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), children younger than 10 may be several times more sensitive to the same dose. Consequently, the FDA recommends that doctors avoid unnecessary radiation exposure in children wherever possible and keep doses of ionizing radiation as low as possible.

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