Exposición a rayos X de los neonatos prematuros en una unidad de cuidados intensivos neonatales. Estudio observacional retrospectivo

Ruben Dario Pavon Diarte; Patricia  Arias; Laura Evangelina Godoy Sánchez; Mirta N Mesquita Ramirez

doi:10.31698/ped.53012026008

Authors

Ruben Dario Pavon Diarte Hospital General Pediátrico Niños de Acosta Ñu. San Lorenzo, Paraguay. Universidad Católica Nuestra Señora de la Asunción. Asunción, Paraguay. https://orcid.org/0009-0009-3054-0204 (unauthenticated)
Patricia Arias Hospital Materno Infantil San Pablo. Asunción, Paraguay https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4142-9017 (unauthenticated)
Laura Evangelina Godoy Sánchez Hospital General Pediátrico Niños de Acosta Ñu. San Lorenzo, Paraguay. Universidad Católica Nuestra Señora de la Asunción. Asunción, Paraguay. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6105-780X (unauthenticated)
Mirta N Mesquita Ramirez Hospital General Pediátrico Niños de Acosta Ñu. San Lorenzo, Paraguay. Universidad Católica Nuestra Señora de la Asunción. Asunción, Paraguay. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1249-3327 (unauthenticated)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31698/ped.53012026008

Keywords:

preterm newborn, doses, radiation, exposure, neonatal intensive care unit

Abstract

Introduction: Quantifying the radiation dose received during radiological studies presents technical challenges, yet it remains an essential component of patient safety.
Objective: To describe the frequency and cumulative radiation dose from X‑rays in preterm neonates admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of a public maternity hospital during 2023.
Materials and Methods: Retrospective descriptive observational study. Preterm infants between 24 and 36.5 weeks of gestational age, discharged from the NICU and exposed to radiographic studies during hospitalization, were included. Variables: sex, gestational age, diagnosis, anatomical location of the radiograph (XR), number of X-ray, cumulative dose, and radiological equipment used. Cumulative dose was calculated according to the parameters applied and expressed in mGy. Data were analyzed using SPSS. The institutional ethics committee approved the study protocol.
Results: A total of 209 preterm infants were included, with a gestational age of 31.5 ± 3 weeks and a weight of 1648 ± 680 g. A total of 592 X-ray was performed, 7.7 ± 8 per patient (min 1, max 50). The cumulative dose was 0.908 ± 1.269 mGy (min 0.10, max 9.8 mGy). A positive correlation was found between the number of X-ray and cumulative radiation dose (r = 8.6).
Conclusions: The average number of radiographs per patient was 7, (min 1, max 50). however, most neonates underwent fewer than 10 radiographs during hospitalization. The mean radiation dose received, even when using digital equipment, was high. There was a positive correlation between the number of radiographs performed and the cumulative radiation dose.

Author Biography

Ruben Dario Pavon Diarte, Hospital General Pediátrico Niños de Acosta Ñu. San Lorenzo, Paraguay. Universidad Católica Nuestra Señora de la Asunción. Asunción, Paraguay.

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