One of the first methods to diagnose without surgery was x-ray. With his help, it became possible to determine the condition of internal organs, bones.
However, the rays used in the study are radioactive. In large quantities, they are harmful to the body. Therefore, the parents reasonably raise the question of how often children can do x-rays. Modern methods of researching the body allow you to make a diagnosis without this method. But in some cases you can’t do without it.
X-rays for children are prescribed only in cases where other approaches will be inappropriate. Each parent will agree that it is better to take an X-ray than to treat pneumonia, which is actually not, with antibiotics.
X-rays
To understand how often it is possible to take x-rays to children and how harmful it is for a growing organism, it is necessary to understand the essence of this method. The rays passing through the body tissues leave a clear picture of the state of internal systems on the film. This is a reliable diagnostic method. Therefore, it is still used in various fields of medicine.
X-rays are radioactive. They have the greatest impact on new, developing cells. Therefore, this effect can adversely affect the body. Radiation in large quantities leads to the formation of radiation sickness. Cell mutations and the appearance of a tumor are also possible.
However, modern x-ray machines emit radiation in such small doses that once they can not harm the body. Their total amount affects the body in the same way as a stay of 2-3 days in the territory of a large industrial city. However, an x-ray is prescribed only in extreme cases.
Harm to a child
When wondering how often an X-ray can be given to a child, one should understand how much harm the procedure can cause. Children due to their physiological characteristics are 2-3 times more susceptible to radiation than adults.
The longer life that awaits the child creates a theoretically greater potential for the manifestation over time of various consequences of somatic and genetic nature. It should also be remembered that in children the organs are located closer to each other. At the same time, their development is rather uneven in dynamics. This creates an additional danger of the development of pathologies due to such effects.
Another important factor that increases the risk to the health of the child is the location of his red bone marrow. It is he who is most susceptible to radiation. The distribution of red bone marrow in children is not the same as in adults. In babies, he is more concentrated in the limbs and skull. Therefore, the irradiation of these areas are especially demanding.
At what age do they do x-rays?
Pediatricians are often asked questions about whether it is acceptable and how often you can take an x-ray of an infant. This procedure is necessary in some cases. With a fracture of the jaw, nose, and hip joints after the child passes the birth canal, an X-ray is required. Also, in the process of the baby being born in especially difficult cases, skull injuries are possible. In all these situations, X-ray examination is allowed to be performed in the first week after the birth of the baby.
At the same time, the baby is placed in a special box. It contains a certain protection system. Therefore, the rays pass exclusively in the examined area. This procedure is performed at the lowest radiation levels. For this, the equipment must be a new sample.
X-rays of the baby are carried out only in the presence of pathology that threatens life and development.
Precautionary measures
When studying the question of how often X-rays can be given to children up to one year of age or older, parents should familiarize themselves with existing recommendations. First of all, if you can’t do without such an examination, you should pay attention to the type of equipment for the examination.
If an old-style apparatus is used in a medical institution, the exposure will be higher than in new models. If a child needs to have an X-ray, it is best to have one in the hospital where the equipment is regularly updated. Such devices give a clear picture with minimal exposure.
Experienced staff in a medical facility can correctly select the level of radiation exposure. The protective tool will protect other body systems from exposure to x-rays.
Dentistry
There are several main areas of examination where you may need to do an x-ray. Dentistry is one of them. Studying how often you can take x-rays for children under 3 years of age and older, you need to refer to the recommendations of the WHO. This organization claims that annual exposure should not exceed 3 mSv / year. In quantitative terms, it is about 5-6 times a year.
But it all depends on the type of equipment and type of examination. During dental examinations, the radiation level is so small that the number of images that can be taken will be quite large. This is required if it is necessary to decide whether to remove the tooth or to heal. Also, if chronic periodontitis occurs or the root canal is filled before an apex infection, a similar examination is required. X-rays are necessary in determining the rudiments of teeth. In some cases, a panoramic examination of the jaw is required.
X-ray of the chest and digestive system
Studying how often you can do x-rays for children, you should pay attention to the examination of the chest and digestive tract. This type of diagnosis is never used if there are no clear signs of the disease.
The digestive system is examined in the presented way when foreign objects enter the body.
The chest organs are also examined in the presence of characteristic symptoms of certain diseases. Children do not undergo annual fluorography until they are 18 years old. If there are signs of pneumonia or tuberculosis, the picture is taken without projection. With an increased Mantoux, X-rays are not performed without the presence of other symptoms.
Joints
An x-ray of the joints is necessary for injuries (fractures, dislocations), as well as suspected dysplasia. In infants, this examination is complicated by the presence of large amounts of cartilage. Because of this, the result may be unreliable.
When asking a pediatrician how often it is possible to do an x-ray for children with dysplasia, injuries, parents receive mixed answers. On the one hand, a one-time exposure will not affect the baby’s health, but on the other hand, certain protection rules must be observed. Hip joints are one of the most dangerous areas for examination. The genitals should never be irradiated. To do this, they are covered with special material. All areas of the baby's body during such examinations should also be protected.
Skull shot
Another area in which an x-ray is taken is the examination of the skull. This is required if head injuries occur or if a tumor is suspected.
When asking how often a baby’s x-ray can be taken, the features of this procedure should be considered. Irradiation of this part of the body is carried out only in emergency cases in the presence of serious injury.
With sinusitis, an X-ray is never performed. The structure of the maxillary sinuses in young children has some features. This does not allow to obtain a reliable picture of the processes occurring in this area.
Since the bone marrow of children is affected by radiation, x-rays are rarely performed in the skull area, and only when the danger to the baby’s body during treatment without this diagnosis is significant.
Procedure
Performing an X-ray examination in children can vary significantly compared to an adult procedure. In the office where the x-ray is taken, there must be special clamps. This makes it possible to immobilize the region studied by such irradiation. Therefore, when studying how often it is possible to do x-rays for children, the psychological factor is also taken into account.
In some cases, the child must be immobilized medically, anesthetized. This is necessary during long-term tomography. Fixation allows you to increase the likelihood of a good shot.
In this case, you will not need to re-do an x-ray and irradiate the baby again. During the examination, the child’s body is protected with special pads. If they are made of lead, the material should be in a case.
First of all, the eyes, the thyroid gland, and the genitourinary system require protection. With the right approach, the procedure can be completely safe.
Having considered how often children can have x-rays, it will be easier not to be afraid to carry out such a procedure several times a year. The process requires proper protection. The newer the equipment used in the examination, the less exposure the child receives. Modern devices can reduce radiation exposure to negligible indicators.