[ RadSafe ] Query on counselling of pregnant women who underwent mediacal radiation procedures

[parthasarathy k s]

Dear list members,



You may be aware
of the fact that physicians and even some radiologists may not have clear
knowledge about the magnitudes of the radiation doses in medical radiation
procedures. 


 


One of the areas
of concern is their widely held perception that teratogenic risk associated
with fetal radiation is unrealistically high. This may lead to unnecessary
terminations of pregnancies of women exposed to low doses of radiation. During
the past few years, there were papers in the Am J Roentgenology, the Brit Med.
J, Radiology, Int J Cardiol etc indicating the lack of awareness of physicians
and specialists about the risks of radiation exposure.


 


Some physicians have exaggerated notions about
radiation risks particularly teratogenic risks. This leads to unnecessary
concerns and in some instances  wrong advice to  carry out abortions.
I came across some instances in India.


 


In this context,
I am keen to get the response to the following questions from members of the
list, who are conversant with the issues.


 


1. How is counselling of pregnant
women who underwent medical radiation procedures organised and carried out
in  your hospital?


 


2.     
Who has the responsibility?
(Diagnostic radiologist, radiation oncologist, nuclear medicine physicians,
genetic counsellor and others).


 


3.     
What are the legal
requirements?


 


4.     
In a typical hospital how many
cases may require counselling? What is your experience?


 


5.     
Can you describe a few
instances of counselling?


 


6.     
Have you come across practices
in other countries.?


 


7.  Do you think that the
exaggerated perception of risks by physicians may lead to unnecessary fear and wrong
advice leading to  terminations of
pregnancy?


 


The ICRP booklet
(ICRP Publication No 84) titled “Pregnancy and Medical Radiation”,  bears testimony to the fact that the topic
continues to be relevant today. The Q & A provided in the website of  the US health
Physics Society are very useful for general guidance.




Regards,




K.S.Parthasarathy
Ph.D


(formerly, Secretary,
Atomic Energy Regulatory Board)


Raja Ramanna Fellow


Strategic Planning Group,

Board of Research in Nuclear Sciences


Department of Atomic
Energy


Room No 18


Ground Floor, North Wing


Vikram Sarabhai Bhavan


Mumbai 400094


E-mail ksparth at yahoo.co.uk


91+22 25555327 (O)


91+22 25486081 (O)


91+22 27706048 (R)


9869016206 (mobile)


 







		
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