How much less radiation is usually used for Child CT Head scan?

My daugther went thru a CT head scan in August. Three months after the CT scan, I have found out that CT is comparable to 100 times that of Chest X-ray. It is shocking.

1. I have done a lot of readings, and read that children's hospital says a lot less radiation is used for Child's CT scan. And some research paper says more radiation is needed for CT scan because of smaller size of their bodies. Which is true?

2. So, I contacted the hospital and they said they can't figure that out. And later on, they contacted me and said that they used about 0.75 mSv to get the head scan, which is much less than what I found from the Internet. Is it about right for 30 lbs baby?

3. There are a lot of scary stories about CT scans especially for children. Does one time exposure develop a cancer? Or, one time exposure addes to the total exposure time which will develop a cancer eventually?

I would greatly appreciate expert's advice on this.

Hi, I have a degree in vet science, as a vet tech, and for that we are required to take a course in Radiology (X-rays).

I would trust what the hospital is telling you, and not necessarily all the sources you are reading. Doctors and technicians are required by law to take all necessary precautions to use the least necessary radiation to shoot the pictures. I know it seems scary, but you need to relax.

The idea that you somehow need MORE radiation for a smaller object makes no sense to me at all, by the way.

I also want to explain to you that CT scans and other X-rays do not CAUSE cancer. In a person already prone to cancer, they might simply encourage its growth. In studies testing how much radiation it takes to cause cancer, it has consistently been shown that it takes 'repeated' exposure, over a long period of time. One CT scan is not going to do it.

Finally, I really want to point out, as a nurse technician, that the risk from a needed CT scan is FAR LESS than the benefit of diagnosis. In other words, the information a CT scan gives a doctor does not compare to any other technology. He/she uses this info to make your baby well. That information in my opinion always justifies any risk.

Your baby is fine. Relax!

Rest assured that whether it is human or non-human, we use the same technology, the same machines, and care about our patients the same way! Hope all is going well. . . . RELAX. Report It

My baby who is now 19 has undergone numerous CT and PET scans. He has also undergone16 months of high dose chemotherapy and two major surgeries to remove multiple abdominal tumors, tumors on the large and small intestine, spleen, and literally hundreds of embedded small nodules on his diaphragm. When faced with a deadly cancer the benefit of using a diagnostic tool to locate the cancer . . well . . can literally save his life. Without his last CT scan we would have not known that two small nodules were hidden on the dome of the liver.

I understand your concern, and as long as your baby is not being scanned for cancer or any other deadly disease, hopefully all medical personnel has your childs best interest at heart.
CT are not done idlely on children.

Peace.