RADIATION EXPOSURE FROM NUCLEAR-MEDICINE STUDIES IN CHILDREN

Nuclear medical examinations of children have to be performed with spe cial regard to the problems of radiation protection because of the hig h radiation sensitivity esp. of infants and young children. The presen t contribution describes how any unnecessary radiation exposure can be avoided by the correct choice and planning of a nuclear medical study , by using the appropriate radiopharmaceutical as well as by the exact calculation of the amount of activity applied, depending on body surf ace resp. body weight of the child. A technically optimized method whi ch employes the best technical equipment and personnel, being speciall y trained for working with children, are important conditions to achie ve optimal results of nuclear medical tests. Due to the difficulties o f direct dose measurements, large variations in the biokinetic behavio ur of radiopharmaceuticals and the restriction to standard phantoms, i ndividual dose calculations or dose estimations in pediatrics cause gr eat problems. This is reflected by often large variations of dosimetri cal data given in the literature.