ANALYSIS OF THE EXISTING NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL APPROACHES TO ENSURING RADIATION PROTECTION OF CHILDREN DURING X- RAY EXAMINATION

Abstract

Level of using X-ray examination in pediatric practice has increased significantly over the past decade. Awareness of availability and prevalence of highly informative examinations (computed tomography, X-ray endovascular procedures, nuclear medicine) leads to corresponding increase in patient doses. In order to successfully ensure the radiation safety of the population in Russian Federation, it is necessary to develop an integrated approach based on the fundamental principles of radiation safety. The basic principles of protecting patients from medical exposure are reflected in all national legislative documents. Unfortunately, the issues of radiation protection of children are not sufficiently lighted in these documents. The purpose of this work was to analyze the existing national and international approaches to radiation protection of children from medical exposure, to identify elements of radiation protection that need updating. Principles of justification and dose limitation were chosen for our work. The analysis of key national and international approaches showed significant differences in practice of radiation protection of children from medical exposure. In foreign practice, special attention is paid to the principle of justification through the development and application of the criteria for justification of X-ray examination. It should be noted that there is no limitation of radiation doses to practically healthy individuals during screening examination. Unfortunately, today the issues of radiation safety of children are not sufficiently covered in the Russian Federation. Therefore, the question of the need to improve the legal and regulatory framework in the field of radiation safety of children during X-ray examinations becomes actual.