Protocol to cut child radiation exposure

CHICAGO, Nov. 16 (UPI) -- A protocol involving real-time radiation monitoring, low-dose imaging and physician dose awareness cuts pediatric radiation exposure, U.S. researchers say.

Lead author Dr. Akash Patel of The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia says the study looked at radiation exposure in boys and girls -- average age 14.5 years -- undergoing electrophysiology procedures to diagnose and treat arrhythmia both before and after the new protocol.

"Radiation exposure in pediatric electro physiology procedures is not insignificant," Patel says in a statement. "We compared the radiation exposure of 70 children who had undergone the procedures before we began the protocol to that of 61 children who had the procedures after we instituted the protocol."

The researchers linked the new protocol to a 22 percent reduction in X-ray machine time, 52 percent reduction in X-ray dose entering the skin and a 51 percent reduction in median effective dose.

Patel says the reduction in effective X-ray dose should decrease the child's lifetime increased cancer risk from radiation exposure.

The study is being presented at the American Heart Association's scientific sessions in Chicago.