Radiation hazards in a paediatric intensive care unit.

Radiation doses received by premature babies X-rayed in an ICU were measured. The average dose for a single exposure was 12 mrad to the sternum, 10 mrad to the neck and 2-2.2 mrad to the gonads. The average number of X-ray exposures was 26.9 with 2 children being in the 100 greater than range. Radiation hazards due to a maximum possible dose of 1 rad are discussed. The present series is compared with similar population groups exposed to low dose radiation. The possibility of an increased incidence of leukemia and thyroid carcinoma is considered.