Radiation exposure in radiographic examinations of the newborn.

Radiation exposure of the newborn during routine chest and abdominal radiographic examinations has been determined. The exposure has been measured at sites representing the entrance and exit chest, entrance, midline, and exit abdomen, the gonads, and the thyroid. Results of these measurements are reported as a function of kVp and in terms of mR received at the anatomical site per mR output of the generator at 24 in. (61 cm). This reporting procedure facilitates application of the results to exposure estimates under similar conditions at other institutions.