X-Ray in early pregnancy

X-Rays, Pregnancy and You | FDA

Pregnancy is a time to take good care of yourself and your unborn child. Many things are especially important during pregnancy, such as eating right, cutting out cigarettes and alcohol, and being careful about the prescription and over-the-counter drugs you take. Diagnostic x-rays and other medical radiation procedures of the abdominal area also deserve extra attention during pregnancy. This brochure is to help you understand the issues concerning x-ray exposure during pregnancy.

Diagnostic x-rays can give the doctor important and even life-saving information about a person's medical condition. But like many things, diagnostic x-rays have risks as well as benefits. They should be used only when they will give the doctor information needed to treat you.

You'll probably never need an abdominal x-ray during pregnancy. But sometimes, because of a particular medical condition, your physician may feel that a diagnostic x-ray of your abdomen or lower torso is needed. If this should happen - don't be upset. The risk to you and your unborn child is very small, and the benefit of finding out about your medical condition is far greater. In fact, the risk of not having a needed x-ray could be much greater than the risk from the radiation. But even small risks should not be taken if they're unnecessary.

You can reduce those risks by telling your doctor if you are, or think you might be, pregnant whenever an abdominal x-ray is prescribed. If you are pregnant, the doctor may decide that it would be best to cancel the x-ray examination, to postpone it, or to modify it to reduce the amount of radiation. Or, depending on your medical needs, and realizing that the risk is very small, the doctor may feel that it is best to proceed with the x-ray as planned. In any case, you should feel free to discuss the decision with your doctor.

What Kind of X-Rays Can Affect the Unborn Child?

During most x-ray examinations - like those of the arms, legs, head, teeth, or chest - your reproductive organs are not exposed to the direct x-ray beam. So these kinds of procedures, when properly done, do not involve any risk to the unborn child. However, x-rays of the mother's lower torso - abdomen, stomach, pelvis, lower back, or kidneys - may expose the unborn child to the direct x-ray beam. They are of more concern.

What Are the Possible Effects of X-Rays?

There is scientific disagreement about whether the small amounts of radiation used in diagnostic radiology can actually harm the unborn child, but it is known that the unborn child is very sensitive to the effects of things like radiation, certain drugs, excess alcohol, and infection. This is true, in part, because the cells are rapidly dividing and growing into specialized cells and tissues. If radiation or other agents were to cause changes in these cells, there could be a slightly increased chance of birth defects or certain illnesses, such as leukemia, later in life.

It should be pointed out, however, that the majority of birth defects and childhood diseases occur even if the mother is not exposed to any known harmful agent during pregnancy. Scientists believe that heredity and random errors in the developmental process are responsible for most of these problems.

What If I'm X-Rayed Before I Know I'm Pregnant?

Don't be alarmed. Remember that the possibility of any harm to you and your unborn child from an x-ray is very small. There are, however, rare situations in which a woman who is unaware of her pregnancy may receive a very large number of abdominal x-rays over a short period. Or she may receive radiation treatment of the lower torso. Under these circumstances, the woman should discuss the possible risks with her doctor.

How You Can Help Minimize the Risks

Most important, tell your physician if you are pregnant or think you might be. This is important for many medical decisions, such as drug prescriptions and nuclear medicine procedures, as well as x-rays. And remember, this is true even in the very early weeks of pregnancy.

Occasionally, a woman may mistake the symptoms of pregnancy for the symptoms of a disease. If you have any of the symptoms of pregnancy - nausea, vomiting, breast tenderness, fatigue - consider whether you might be pregnant and tell your doctor or x-ray technologist (the person doing the examination) before having an x-ray of the lower torso. A pregnancy test may be called for.

If you are pregnant, or think you might be, do not hold a child who is being x-rayed. If you are not pregnant and you are asked to hold a child during an x-ray, be sure to ask for a lead apron to protect your reproductive organs. This is to prevent damage to your genes that could be passed on and cause harmful effects in your future descendants.

Whenever an x-ray is requested, tell your doctor about any similar x-rays you have had recently. It may not be necessary to do another. It is a good idea to keep a record of the x-ray examinations you and your family have had taken so you can provide this kind of information accurately.

Feel free to talk with your doctor about the need for an x-ray examination. You should understand the reason x-rays are requested in your particular case.

Distributed by the Food and Drug Administration, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American College of Radiology

Department of Health and Human Services
Public Health Service
Food and Drug Administration
Rockville, MD 20857

HHS Publication No. (FDA) 94-8087

X-Rays During Pregnancy: What to Know

Written by Parang Mehta

X-Rays During Pregnancy

X-rays are electromagnetic waves with wavelengths falling between ultraviolet light and gamma rays. They're classified as ionizing radiation.

Much of our knowledge of the dangers of radiation in pregnancy has come from the nuclear explosions in World War II. However, x-rays used in medicine do not produce that level of radiation exposure to mother or baby.

Because of the effects seen after the massive radiation exposure, x-rays have been feared during pregnancy, but now, scientists have found that a single x-ray of your limbs or teeth can be quite safe for your baby.

Effects of Radiation Exposure During Pregnancy

The developing baby is largely protected from the radiation by the abdominal wall and the uterus, but some radiation does get through. Developing babies are very sensitive to it.

Moreover, the radiation of multiple x-rays adds up in its effects. If radiation exposure is significant, the results can be:

Growth restriction
Birth malformations
Disturbed brain function
Cancer

Though these dangers are known, they are also rare. For example, the projected risk of later cancer is 2% greater in later life, but that projection follows a radiation dose equal to about 500 x-rays of the chest.

The risk for brain effects is greatest at weeks 10 to 17 of pregnancy. Procedures using high doses of radiation should, consequently, be avoided during this period.

Extremely high doses of radiation will have severe effects on fetuses, though. Microcephaly (small head with brain malformation), microphthalmia (small eyes), genital and skeletal malformations, cataracts, and low birth weights can result from such massive radiation exposure.

These doses are far higher than those used by doctors, though.

Can You get an X-Ray While Pregnant?

Yes, you can, as long as it isn't of your belly, which would expose your baby. Your baby is especially at risk in the first few weeks of pregnancy.

X-rays of your limbs, teeth, head, and chest tend to be safe enough, though. They do not expose your baby to direct radiation.

X-rays of the belly, pelvis, kidneys, or lower back, on the other hand, do expose your baby to radiation and should be avoided.

Do X-Rays Affect Pregnancy?

High-dose x-rays administered early in pregnancy can affect your baby. In the first two weeks of pregnancy, a miscarriage may result from such exposure.

At this time, the embryo is only a few cells, and damage or death of even one or two cells will cause the death of the embryo.

Babies exposed between the second and eighth week, meanwhile, are likely to experience reduced growth, as well as birth defects.

Babies exposed between 8 and 16 are at a higher risk for intellectual and learning disabilities.

However, higher doses of x-rays are used during a computed tomography (CT) scan or a nuclear medicine scan. A nuclear medicine scan involves injecting a radioactive substance that the camera is able to see. The radiation dose is much higher than a single x-ray.

A CT scan of the pelvis or belly during the early weeks of pregnancy is also a hazard. The baby has an increased risk of childhood cancer following such procedures.

A barium enema involves pushing a liquid containing barium into your rectum and then taking a series of x-ray pictures. During this procedure, the radiation exposure to your baby is much higher than a single x-ray, so this test should be avoided when you're pregnant.

Pregnancy X-Ray Precautions

Always let your physician know if you are, or might be, pregnant. They will decide on the appropriate precautions.

If your medical issue is not urgent, they may postpone taking x-rays until after the birth of your baby.

If the pregnancy x-ray is of the limbs, head, or neck, they will give you a lead apron. This apron covers your belly and doesn't allow the x-rays to reach your baby.

Alternatively, your doctor may decide to use another imaging method. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) do not use ionizing radiation. They are considered safe to use during pregnancy.

Accidental X-Rays During Pregnancy

What if you had an x-ray of the belly before discovering that you were pregnant?

You should inform your doctor. The radiation from a single x-ray is tiny, though, so your doctor is unlikely to be overly concerned.

What about a high-dose radiation x-ray procedure?

Barium enemas and CT scans use higher doses of radiation than single x-rays. Some cardiac procedures and orthopedic operations are also done under x-ray guidance. They use doses of radiation that should be avoided in pregnancy.

If you have had such exposure before learning you were pregnant, talk to your doctor.

To avoid such occurrences, some hospitals test all women above the age of 12 years for pregnancy before undergoing any such procedure.

Getting an X-ray While Pregnant

It's not desirable to be x-rayed while you are pregnant, but there's no need to be terrified. Modern x-ray units use low doses of radiation. The amount of radiation for a single x-ray, in fact, is not likely to harm your baby at all. If your physician decides you need an x-ray, the risk of not getting one is probably greater than that posed by the radiation.

The timing of the x-ray is also important. Before 18 weeks of pregnancy, babies are very sensitive to radiation. They're likely to be harmed by it. Beyond 26 weeks of pregnancy, though, your baby has the same sensitivity to radiation as a newborn baby.

Your physician will probably avoid taking an x-ray while you're pregnant, but sometimes, an x-ray is needed to diagnose and treat an illness. Such treatment is sometimes necessary to keep you and your baby healthy.

Is X-ray examination dangerous during pregnancy - MEDSI

01/15/2018

Is X-ray examination dangerous during pregnancy

X-ray examinations are carried out to determine the presence of any pathologies, neoplasms or diseases. For this, a directed beam of electromagnetic waves of a given length and frequency is used. It passes through human organs, the tissues of which reflect and absorb it in different ways.

Due to this difference, various anomalies can be seen. The result is sent to the screen or recorded on a special film.

During a preventive examination, this examination is carried out in a special room. In case of injury to the patient, it can be used immediately in the emergency department, operating room or intensive care unit.

Influence of irradiation on the fetus

X-rays in general are not always beneficial for the body, as it destroys those of its cells that are in a state of constant division. This leads to the destruction or mutation of DNA chains.

There are not many such newly formed cells in the body of an adult. But in the fetus in the early stages of development, they are the basis. Therefore, such an examination is quite dangerous for him. The most likely occurrence of complications when using x-rays during pregnancy in its first trimester (initial 12 weeks).

What problems can X-rays cause in early pregnancy?

Due to the gradual development of the fetus, in each week of its existence, the formation of future systems of the child's body takes place. Therefore, the mother's body receiving a large amount of X-rays at these stages can have various serious consequences:

The first two weeks. Possible death of the embryo, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy.
Weeks three and four. Pathologies at an early stage of fetal development, miscarriage.
Fifth-sixth weeks. Disturbances in the development of a number of organs and systems: thyroid, thymus and gonads; immune, nervous, circulatory, endocrine systems.
Seventh week. Damage to the liver, intestines. Metabolic disease.
Eighth. Pathologies of the development of joints and limbs, the oral cavity.
Ninth week. Damage to the respiratory and reproductive systems.
Tenth and eleventh weeks. Problems associated with the development of teeth. Heart disease.
Twelfth week. Pathology of the thyroid gland, disorders of the immune system.

After this period, the effect of radiation on the fetus decreases, but it is still not recommended to do such a study until the end of pregnancy, except in cases of emergency.

X-rays in early pregnancy

Doctors try not to prescribe X-rays to pregnant women, because even a minimal risk of harm from radiation always remains. It is especially great in the first twelve weeks.

The most dangerous tests for the fetus are:

Abdominal X-ray
X-ray of the pelvis and spine
Mammography
Fluorography
Computed tomography
Isotope scanning

Less dangerous X-rays are:

Chest (lungs, heart)
Brain
Limbs

Are there any non-hazardous examinations?

The safest types of X-ray examination are:

X-ray of teeth
X-ray of the nose

In these cases, the exposure occurs locally, so the radiation dose is minimal.

The amount of radiation that a fetus can receive in two months is regulated by the Sanitary Rules and Regulations and should not exceed 1 millisievert (mSv).

There are other types of examinations that can be used instead of X-ray during pregnancy:

MRI
Visiography
Ultrasound

Nevertheless, doctors try not to prescribe MRI in the first trimester of pregnancy, since statistical studies are not enough to clarify its safety during this period.

What if X-rays are indispensable?

X-rays for pregnant women may be necessary in a situation where the disease or injury threatens the life and health of the mother and child, and it is impossible to use other diagnostic methods. And the harm from not using x-rays outweighs the potential harm from its use.

If it is necessary to examine an area that does not touch the pelvis, abdomen or spine, they must be shielded with lead aprons and pads.
If an X-ray is to be taken directly through the fetus in early pregnancy, the doctor may suggest that it be interrupted to avoid mutations and miscarriage.
A woman may refuse to have an abortion, but in this case she must understand the risks she is taking and the pathologies that may appear in the fetus.

In all these cases, after passing the examination, it is recommended to go for an ultrasound scan to monitor the condition of the fetus and the appearance of certain pathologies.

If it is possible to postpone the use of x-rays until the last trimester or postpartum, then this should be done.

At the earliest possible time, a woman may not be aware of the pregnancy. Therefore, before x-rays, it is recommended to undergo an additional examination.

Benefits of X-ray analysis at MEDSI:

30 x-ray examinations
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Urgent examination in case of injury or other medical indications
Technologies suitable for both adults and children
Radiologists of high qualification categories, candidates of medical sciences
Appointment for research and consultation by phone 8 (495) 7-800-500
More than 20 diagnostic centers

Do not delay treatment, see a doctor right now:

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X-ray of a tooth during pregnancy

X-ray of a tooth during pregnancy - take a picture of a tooth during pregnancy in Moscow

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Many expectant mothers are concerned about the question, is it possible to do an x-ray of a tooth during pregnancy? Until recently, there were absolute contraindications to this procedure, when a pregnant woman came to see a dentist. If the patient is worried about toothache and there is an inflammatory process, the risks of developing a purulent infection and its consequences are many times more dangerous than an image.
X-ray of a tooth during pregnancy is not recommended until the end of the first trimester and in the later stages, even though the latest generation devices reduce the risks of radiation to an absolute minimum. In each case, the appropriateness of the study is determined by the doctor.

Why there is a need for dental x-rays during pregnancy

It's no secret that only a few expectant mothers visit dentistry for preventive purposes. The majority of women come to see a doctor with severe pain and problems that have become aggravated against the background of hormonal changes in the body. In this case, only a snapshot of the tooth during pregnancy allows you to make the correct diagnosis.

Examination is indicated for the following reasons:

The anatomy of the jaw and dental canals is individual for each patient. If you treat and fill "blindly", there is a risk of relapse and re-treatment to dentistry.
Pain can be caused by a tooth fracture, cyst, periodontitis, and these pathologies cannot be diagnosed by touch. If you do not do an x-ray, just start the problem, you will need more complex treatment (for example, with anti-inflammatory drugs).
X-ray of teeth during pregnancy helps to identify hidden carious cavities and eliminate them in a timely manner.
Often, it is the picture that allows the doctor to make the right decision about the advisability of tooth extraction or conservative treatment.