Health Effects of Prenatal Exposure to Ionizing Radiation

This module discusses the health impacts of ionizing radiation. It explores the possible exposure scenarios, describes methods for estimating the dose of radiation exposure, it highlights and identifies professionals you may need to collaborate with when estimating radiation exposure, and discusses the fetal health effects. This module assists clinicians in counseling patients regarding exposure to ionizing radiation during pregnancy.

Learning Objectives

• Discuss various scenarios in which pregnant women may be exposed to ionizing radiation.
• Describe ways to estimate the dose of radiation exposure to the fetus.
• Describe the importance of interprofessional collaboration in estimating radiation exposure to the fetus.
• Discuss the fetal health effects (cancer and non-cancer) from exposure to ionizing radiation.

Authors

Ziad Kazzi, MD, FACMT, FAAEM, FACEP, FAACT, Associate Professor Emergency Medicine and Medical Toxicology, Emory University Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units

James M. Smith PHD, CHP, Adjunct Professor of Environmental Health, Emory University, Consultant Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units

DISCLAIMER: This material was supported by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and funded (in part) by the cooperative agreement FAIN: 5 NU61TS000237-05 along with the American College of Medical Toxicology and funded (in part) by the cooperative agreement FAIN: 5U61TS000238-05 from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).

Acknowledgement: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) supports the PEHSU by providing partial funding to ATSDR under Inter-Agency Agreement number DW-75-95877701. Neither EPA nor ATSDR endorse the purchase of any commercial products or services mentioned in PEHSU publications.

WB4309