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Ionizing radiation from medical sources, primarily diagnostic X-rays, constitutes the largest artificial contribution. Variances in patient doses across radiological departments for similar examinations prompted surveys on patient doses in diagnostic radiology globally. The study Assess the Entrance Skin Dose for paediatric patients during specific radiological exams (Chest AP/PA, Skull AP, and Pelvic AP) and then compare the findings to the diagnostic reference levels established by international organizations. Three x-ray machines from three different tertiary health institutions with facilities for paediatric radiography were used under clinical conditions for the selected radiological examinations. A total of 135 TL dosimeter chips positioned selectively on patients at the axis of the primary X-ray beam to capture entrance skin dose/dose equivalent Hp (0.07). The TLD chips underwent analysis by heating using Harshaw 4500 automatic TLD reader and ESD for each patient was calculated using a given equation. Result indicated that the total average maximum and minimum mean and standard error (SE) value of age group of the participants are 0.60±0.3 – 13.50±0.7, tube loading kVp as 54.90±0.0 – 73.70±1.3 and tube current mAs 4.5±0.2 – 12.5±1.0 respectively. The mean values of ESDs found at each hospital are much higher than, the same published studies and the internationally recommended values and dose reference levels by National Radiation Protection Board (NRPB), International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), and European Commission (EU). This is presumably due to the use of low kVp and high mAs at all hospitals compared to the recommendations by National Radiation Protection Board (NRPB), International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) and European Commission (EC).
Saad et al. (Wed,) studied this question.