“The increased risk of x-rays during pregnancy is related to the risk of causing genetic abnormalities in the fetus, which can lead to disease or malformation.However, this problem is rare because it requires a large amount of radiation to produce changes in the fetus.
Generally, the maximum recommended radiation during pregnancy is 5 rads or 5000 milirads, which is the unit used to measure the amount of radiation absorbed, as from this value, the fetus may undergo changes.
- However.
- Most X-ray tests are well below the maximum value.
- So they are considered extremely safe.
- Especially if only 1 or 2 tests are performed during pregnancy.
Depending on the location of the body where the x-ray is taken, the amount of radiation varies:
1000 millicides – 1 rad
Thus, the pregnant party can have an X-ray whenever recommended, however, it is advisable to inform the doctor about the pregnancy, so that the plumb apron used for radiological protection is correctly positioned on the pregnant man’s belly..
In cases where the woman did not know she was pregnant and had had an X-ray, the test is also not dangerous, even at the beginning of pregnancy when the embryo develops.
However, it is recommended that, as soon as she discovers pregnancy, the woman informs the obstetrician of the amount of tests she has done, so that the amount of radiation already absorbed is calculated, preventing her from receiving more than 5 rads for the rest of the pregnancy.
Defects and malformations that may appear in the fetus vary depending on the gestational age, as well as the total amount of radiation to which the pregnant woman was exposed; However, when this happens, the main complication of radiation exposure during pregnancy is usually the onset of cancer during childhood.
Therefore, babies born after high radiation exposure should often be evaluated by the pediatrician to identify early changes and even initiate a type of treatment, if necessary.