Protection of Pregnant Patients during Diagnostic Medical Exposures to Ionising Radiation RCE 9

Synopsis

This document provides information on the health effects that are likely to occur in the embryo or fetus following exposure to ionising radiation during pregnancy and practical guidance on how and when to prevent or reduce unnecessary fetal exposures when pregnant women are referred for diagnostic medical procedures involving X-rays or radionuclides.

It is a revision of the guidance produced in 1998 by the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) (now part of the Health Protection Agency), The Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) and the College of Radiographers (CoR) (NRPB et al, 1998).

Erratum

An erratum applying to the last paragraph on page 14 of this report was issued on 16 April 2009; the copy available via the link below contains the corrected version.

Last reviewed: 2 June 2009