Moromoke O. Adelayi and Oladele S. Ajayi
Department of Physics, Federal University of Technology, Akure
ABSTRACT: The use of radiographic procedures generates a number of benefits with an existing potential for radiation-induced injuries in patients. The risk is higher in the paediatric population as children are more radiosensitive than adults and have an increased life time risk per unit dose. Hence, this research aims to assess radiation doses to paediatric patients in some south western hospitals in Nigeria. In this study, Entrance Skin Dose (ESD) was measured in six radiology departments of six hospitals using Thermo-luminescent Dosimeters (TLDs). The study population included 528 consented paediatric patients of both genders referred to the centres aged 0 – <16 years. Fourteen different radiographic techniques were considered in this study. However, only four (Chest PA, Skull AP, Abdomen AP and Pelvis AP) were found comparable with other similar published studies. The mean ESD values obtained were 1.01, 2.02, 2.08 and 1.16 mGy for Chest PA, Skull AP, Abdomen AP and Pelvis AP respectively. The mean ESDs were found to be relatively higher than those recorded in literature.
Keywords: Entrance Skin Dose, Paediatric Population, x-ray, Thermo-luminescent Dosimeters, Hospitals in Southwest Nigeria, Radiographic Techniques
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