Introduction:

Chest X-rays are one of the most common procedures used in neonatal intensive care units (NICU). The objective of this study was to determine the X-ray radiation dose received by hospitalized patients by means of incident air kerma (Ki), a measure of the skin entry dose.

Material and methods:

Observational, prospective, longitudinal and descriptive study. We included patients treated at the NICU of the Hospital Materno Infantil, Nuevo León, Mexico, who had one or more thoraco-abdominal (portable) radiographs taken during their stay. Ki was measured according to the International Atomic Energy Agency for the dosimetry of pediatric patients in plain radiography.

Results:

Sixty-six patients were analyzed. In total, 416 radiographs were taken; the median number of radiographs per patient was 13 (IQR 2-26). The Ki was 140 (IQR 80-450) μGy by radiography. In 75% of the exposures, the median Ki was 195 μGy.

Conclusions:

In newborns cared for in the NICU, the radiation doses from thoraco-abdominal radiographs are higher than international recommendations.