engleski

Alkaline comet assay and micronucleus test parameters in children exposed to diagnostic x-ray examination

Understanding the risks of low doses of radiation is an important aspect in the risk benefit analysis in pediatric populations. To provide the best care for the young patients the effects of ionizing radiation should be minimized. Since children with pulmonary diseases are at a relatively greater cancer risk as the radiological exposure can be intensive in these patients, present study aimed to evaluate application of different dosimetry systems and comet and micronucleus assay in monitoring children population exposed to diagnostic X-rays examination. The study comprised a random sample of 18 children, all with pulmonary diseases, such as pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma and suspected tuberculosis. Absorbed dose measurements were conducted for posterior-anterior projection on the forehead, thyroid gland, gonads, chest and back. Doses were measured using thermoluminescence and radiophotoluminescent dosimetry systems. It was shown that after diagnostic X-rays, the mean total number of all measured parameters was significantly higher than prior to diagnostic procedure. These results suggest that even low-dose diagnostic X-ray exposure may induce damaging effect to the cell and DNA molecule of exposed children. Thus it would be useful to conduct more research in pediatric diagnostics to minimize the potential damage and maintain the optimal benefit for the patients.

Child population; X-ray examination; Dosimetry; Comet assay; Micronucleus assay; Genome damage

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