Radiation Exposure from Radioisotopes in Pediatrics

THE increasing use of radionuclides in medical diagnosis and research demands accurate knowledge of the radiation exposure sustained during these procedures. Although this information is frequently available for adults1 2 3 only occasional reference is found to doses received by children,4 a group in whom there is great concern about radiation exposure. Furthermore, many of the available data are based upon experience with the inorganic form of the radionuclide whereas today many radionuclides are incorporated into other molecules. These "tagged" substances are metabolized differently from the inorganic forms, resulting in an altered radiation exposure.In a recent communication, we recorded the average . . .