How dangerous is it to x-ray a pregnant woman?

What is X-ray examination

The purpose of this method is to study internal organs by scanning parts of the body with electromagnetic waves, which is subsequently necessary to establish a diagnosis.
The rays absorbed by the tissues pass through to an unequal extent, making it possible to obtain an accurate image on the screen and special film.

Types of X-ray procedures

The following types of diagnostics are distinguished:

• linear tomography of bones and joints;
• fluorography;
• chest x-ray;
• mammary gland;
• stomach;
• abdominal cavity.

Diagnostic radiology is used for an accessible study of bone fractures and paranasal sinuses. Search for stones and neoplasms occurring inside vital organs.

What to do if you can’t do without an x-ray?

In some situations, it is impossible to refuse x-rays. As a rule, in the case of pregnancy, such procedures are prescribed only to patients at risk of various types of severe complications that pose a threat to the mother or fetus.

As noted, the closer the examined area is to the fetus, the greater the danger for the latter. In general, specialists use various types of protective equipment to help reduce the intensity of the harmful effects on the baby. For example, if a woman has to have an x-ray of a limb, shielding will be used to protect the abdomen, chest and pelvic area. However, even such protection is not 100% effective, so after an x-ray it is necessary to undergo an ultrasound examination to check the condition of the developing fetus.

If an X-ray examination was carried out before confirming the fact of pregnancy, the situation should be discussed with a doctor individually. After the required diagnostic measures, the specialist will draw objective conclusions and give the most appropriate recommendations for a particular case.

Is X-raying possible in early pregnancy?

The interaction of X-ray radiation with certain groups of tissues can cause ionization of water, forming active radicals.

Their action affects DNA replication during division, which leads to chromosome abnormalities and the formation of defective cells, subsequently cancerous.

Exposure above 100 mSv is fraught with negative consequences in the form of the formation of congenital malformations in the baby.

A mature child, just like an embryo, is overly susceptible to the effects of ionizing radiation.

X-ray diagnostics with exceeded values ​​cannot be considered safe due to the components of electromagnetic waves.

The mother's life-threatening consequences for refusing radiology in specific situations turn out to be much more dangerous than a one-time procedure.

Diagnosis of this type is carried out strictly according to the doctor’s instructions.

Mothers should refuse preventive studies of this kind.

To figure out during which period the procedure will cause less harm, an analysis and cases of using radiodiagnostics at individual gestational stages are necessary.

Effect of X-ray

The child of a woman who has an x-ray without knowing she is pregnant is at risk or remains healthy. The outcome of the operation is favorable in most cases.

In such situations, consultation with a geneticist and gynecologist is required to diagnose possible problems with the child’s development before and after birth.

The direction of the X-rays is focused exclusively on the affected area. During direct irradiation, the waves do not pass through protective devices (lead vest, etc.)

It is necessary to review the x-ray when planning a pregnancy - in order to avoid unnecessary problems with the baby’s health, it is rational to carry out the necessary measures in advance.

The percentage of harmful consequences depends on the current period and the place where the photo was taken.

X-ray of the head

The reason for the procedure may be various injuries to the skull, and not a study of the brain. Especially if you have headaches afterwards.

Is it possible to have a head x-ray during pregnancy? The doctor resorts to radiation exposure only in extreme cases, when a woman develops the following symptoms:

• severe nosebleeds;
• there is asymmetry in the shape of the face;
• severe pain in the jaw when it moves;
• sudden loss of consciousness;
• for dental purposes when manipulating the lower jaw.

During an X-ray of the head, radiation has virtually no effect on the mother's abdomen, since it is reliably covered with a lead apron, protecting it from the harmful effects of rays.

According to sanitary standards, the dose received by the fetus should not exceed 1 mSv. In comparison, it would take 5 breast shots to reach this level. And during an x-ray of the sinuses, the dose is only 0.6 mSv. So all the concerns about whether it is possible to do an X-ray of the nose, ear, and temporal bones during pregnancy are unfounded. Everything will be fine.

If the subject did not know that she was pregnant and took an x-ray in the first two weeks, then, according to some experts, the best solution would be to terminate the pregnancy. At the same time, doctors try to assess all possible risks as accurately as possible, clarify what type of research was done, and find out the radiation dose received.

All information is compared and a decision is made about the possible danger to pregnancy. If, after a detailed calculation of the period of conception, it turns out that the x-ray was taken before the start of the expected menstruation, then there is no reason for concern. Otherwise, experts recommend conducting a medical diagnosis to find out whether the mother and her baby were harmed.

What are the dangers of x-rays during pregnancy?

X-ray radiation negatively affects the hip part - the probability of disrupting the full functioning of the embryo's organs and interrupting pregnancy is 50/50.

If the examination took place on parts of the body remote from the abdominal area (teeth, upper, lower limbs, chest, head, etc.), the likelihood of harmful radiation is minimal due to the direct impact of electric rays.

Consequences

Many mothers ask the question: “Does X-ray affect the fetus?” X-rays taken in the early stages of pregnancy before a delay are fraught with danger.

If the picture was taken at the stage of ovulation and fertilization, this may later affect the formation of vital organs.

Under such circumstances, radiodiagnosis in the first trimester leads to:

• miscarriage;
• microcephaly;
• dysfunction of the cerebellum and central nervous system activity.

At a later period, the risk of X-ray observation decreases, but complete elimination of the risk is impossible.

The circulatory system and gastrointestinal tract are vulnerable at this stage.

A common disease associated with poor circulation is anemia.

If there are problems with the gastrointestinal tract of newborns, there may be a persistent bowel disorder that cannot be treated.

Recommendations for X-ray examination of pregnant women

SanPiN 2.6.1.1192-03 is one of the documents regulating the conduct of diagnostic studies related to radiation. He also considers patient safety measures when performing radiography. The issue of pregnancy and x-rays is also not ignored.

Regarding preventive studies, the opinion is clear: fluorography and mammography (if the woman has reached the age of 35) are contraindicated for pregnant women. X-rays prescribed for diagnostic purposes are not recommended, but are not prohibited.

To reduce the likelihood of harmful effects on the fetus, the following recommendations exist:

• X-rays for pregnant women are prescribed only for urgent reasons.
• If it is possible to replace the x-ray examination with another one that does not involve radiation, this should be done.
• X-rays of the pelvis and abdomen are extremely undesirable during pregnancy. If research is necessary, if possible, it should be postponed until the 3rd trimester.
• X-rays of the lungs, skull, legs or arms can also be taken in the early stages while taking measures to protect the fetus: shielding (covering the abdomen and pelvis with a lead apron) and diaphragm (using a barrier that limits the spread of the x-ray beam). However, even if these requirements are met, the study remains dangerous for the child. Therefore, the purpose of the photo must be justified.

To avoid irradiation of the embryo in the early stages, when the woman does not yet know about pregnancy, it is necessary to follow the rules:

• The study is best performed in the first 2 weeks after the end of menstruation. At this time, the likelihood of pregnancy is low.
• It is mandatory to use protective equipment that prevents radiation exposure of the genitals.

If the question of pregnancy remains open, the radiologist should proceed from the assumption that the patient is expecting a child and be guided by the above examination rules.

It is not advisable to take x-rays during pregnancy. Particularly dangerous are studies during which the abdomen and pelvis area is exposed to radiation: excretory urography, radiography of the lumbar spine, hip joints, etc. This diagnostic method can only be prescribed for justified indications. In this case, the study is, if possible, postponed until late in pregnancy and all necessary measures are taken to protect the fetus from radiation.

In the first 6-8 weeks, a woman may not know about pregnancy and that some tests, such as x-rays, for example, are contraindicated for her. The above are precautions aimed at minimizing the risk of irradiation of the embryo. However, they still do not guarantee absolute protection from unwanted consequences. What if an x-ray was taken before pregnancy was detected?

According to SanPiN 2.6.1.1192-03, the dose received by the fetus should not exceed 1 mSv in 2 months. If the total exposure was 100 mSv or more, the likelihood that a woman will give birth to a healthy child is low. In this case, the doctor may recommend terminating the pregnancy. If a woman wants to keep the child, she must be aware of the risk of undesirable consequences. Such patients should not neglect the mandatory screening tests for pregnant women to detect developmental anomalies. If severe defects are detected, the question of abortion may arise again.

The safest diagnostic method for pregnant women is ultrasound. It can be done at the earliest stages. However, although there is no data on the harm of ultrasound to the fetus, you should not undergo the study without indications.

Unfortunately, ultrasound cannot always replace x-rays. For example, ultrasound examination is a good analogue of excretory urography for suspected urolithiasis. But in some cases, replacement cannot be made. Thus, the diagnosis of fractures in injuries is performed using x-ray methods.

Mandatory diagnostic cases

There are cases when the use of radiography is urgent and cannot be ignored by a pregnant woman. This includes the risks of complications of emerging pathologies due to a specific disease and situation in which the damage to the mother’s life is great and neglect of the procedure makes it difficult to identify a specific diagnosis.

The results must be recorded by the attending physician.

Fractures of the limbs, photographs of the sinuses of the nose and jaw are not dangerous due to the inability of waves to pass through the protective equipment worn on the patient during the operation.

After the screen scan, an examination of the woman and an ultrasound of the fetus follows to assess the health status.

Permissible number of procedures

During the gestational period, interaction with ionizing radiation is avoided.

When it is impossible to avoid surgery, first of all it is worth warning doctors about your own pregnancy.

There are cases when the total radiation dose reaches 30 mSv. This occurs with repeated observation of the genitourinary tract, intestines and pelvic area in early pregnancy.

If the maximum permissible radiation exposure is exceeded, doctors recommend interrupting the gestational period.

One photo will not cause damage to the baby and does not guarantee the appearance of multiple pathologies, but there is no need to treat the procedure as safe and the only one in the situation that has arisen.

Alternatives to the method used

According to medical standards, the maximum permissible dose of ionizing waves for a fetus is 1 mSv.
The use of radiography in individual cases determines the specific amount of mSv.

Radiation doses:

• 0.01 mSv – shooting of arms and legs;
• 0.3 m3v - fluorography;
• 10 m3v - computed tomography;
• 8 mSv - assessment of the condition of the spine.

If you refuse the commonly used means of tomography, the choice of ultrasound will become acceptable.

Such an operation is harmless to the child, and at all stages of gestation it gives results of examination of the thyroid gland, lymph nodes and the pelvic cavity.

It is safe for a doctor to conduct magnetic resonance imaging and visit it when examining soft tissues, the brain, edema and tumors, individual vertebrae and bones.

No negative effects of MRI on the embryo, intrauterine development and the condition of the placenta were found.

In addition to the listed methods of performing scanning, analysis is used with a visiograph - a device used in dental work. It has no contraindications for use by expectant mothers.

The fact of prescribing x-ray observation must be taken calmly. In this situation, it is important to be able to protect the unborn child.

Before undergoing an x-ray, a consultation with a gynecologist leading the pregnancy and specialists is required.

X-ray of the tooth

During this period of the baby’s development, radiation exposure causes significantly less harm, but one should not think that the procedure is becoming safe. The above risks still remain. Therefore, doctors strongly recommend treating all chronic diseases at the planning stage.

Having examined the provisions of the regulatory documentation used by doctors regarding the question of whether it is possible to do x-rays during pregnancy, the conclusion arises that an examination done after the 16th week of pregnancy is unlikely to be too dangerous for the baby. Difficulties with pregnancy may arise if repeated irradiation of the problem area is required. But consulting a doctor about the risks of using fluoroscopy is simply necessary.

After turning to the dentist, a pregnant woman is indecisive. Is it possible to take dental x-rays during pregnancy? In the first trimester, it is better to avoid such a procedure. The doctor, if possible, will try to examine and treat the tooth without taking pictures, but it happens that it will be difficult to do without an x-ray. This happens when the following problems occur:

• suspicion of a tooth or gum cyst;
• tooth root fracture;
• root canal treatment;
• suspicion of complex removal of eights.

Modern X-ray machines are characterized by gentle radiation exposure. To compare, when taking a dental x-ray, a woman receives a radiation dose of 0.02 mSv, and when flying on an airplane over a distance of 2,500 km - 0.01 mSv. This means that if the expectant mother flies off on vacation, she will receive the same dose of radiation as with a dental x-ray. Please note that during the procedure:

• Mom’s belly is protected by a lead apron that does not transmit x-rays;
• a limited area is irradiated;
• The risk of child exposure is minimal.

If there is a need to take a dental x-ray during pregnancy, is it possible to find a safer method? There are clinics equipped with a visiograph; its radiation exposure is 10 times lower than that of a conventional fluoroscope.

To avoid any risks, if possible, it is best to take a dental photograph after the 12th week of pregnancy.