Radiation cancer risk from doses to newborn infants hospitalized in neonatal intensive care units in children hospitals of Isfahan province

Background: This study aimed to investigate dose area product (DAP), effective dose, and radiation risk in newborn infants hospitalized in neonatal intensive care units in Isfahan and Kashan. Materials and Methods: During a period of six months, DAP for chest X-ray examinations for newborn infants hospitalized in NICUs of five special hospitals including Beheshti (in Kashan), Al-Zahra, Imam Hossein, Amin and Goldis (in Isfahan) were  measured using DAP meter. Then, using the dose area product (DAP) and conversion coefficients, the effective dose was calculated. Radiation risk per single exposure was estimated by applying 2.8‎ × 10-2 and 13 × 10-2 factors per Sievert. Also, to estimate the radiation risk in the exposed population, the collective effective dose and the mentioned factors were used. Results: The mean DAP, the effective dose, the radiation risk per single exposure, and the radiation risk in the exposed population were found to be 15.37 ± (1.19), 45.52 ± (3.28), [1.27-5.91] × 10-6, and [0.0045-0.021], respectively. Conclusion: Findings indicate that the effective dose and therefore radiation risk in NICUs for newborn infants is higher than that of other studied cities in Iran. Consequently, it is necessary to attempt to reduce radiation dose while maintaining the image quality. In addition, theoretical and practical training programs are needed to increase the knowledge and skills of radiologic technologists on the concept of As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) and possible radiation cancer risks.