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→Protecting pregnant patients
Early pregnancy can go undetected, so it is prudent to ensure that patients of childbearing potential are not pregnant before undergoing [[diagnostic radiology]] or [[nuclear medicine]] studies that provides doses above which the risk of adverse fetal health effects is not considered negligible (1–10 mGy).<ref>PRACTICE PARAMETER FOR IMAGING PREGNANT OR POTENTIALLY PREGNANT ADOLESCENTS AND WOMEN WITH IONIZING RADIATION[https://www.acr.org/-/media/ACR/Files/Practice-Parameters/Pregnant-Pts.pdf]</ref> Before [[Radiation therapy]], and in the absence of a documented history of applicable gynaecological surgery (e.g. tubal ligation, hysterectomy) or an established postmenopausal state, serum or urine pregnancy tests should be obtained, ideally 24–72 h prior to treatment.<ref>The SNMMI Practice Guideline for Therapy of Thyroid Disease with 131I[http://jnm.snmjournals.org/content/53/10/1633]</ref>
There are radiation-related risks to the embryo/fetus during pregnancy that are related to the stage of pregnancy and the absorbed dose to the embryo/fetus. [[ICRP]] has evaluated the effects of prenatal irradiation in detail (.<ref name="Pub090">[[ICRP Publication 90]] Biological Effects after Prenatal Irradiation (Embryo and Fetus). Ann. ICRP 33(1-2), 2003. </ref> These effects include lethal effects, malformations, central nervous system effects, leukaemia and childhood cancer. Consideration of these effects is important when pregnant patients undergo [[diagnostic radiology]], [[interventional procedures]], or [[radiation therapy]] using ionising radiation. A balance must be attained between the health care of the patient and the potential for detrimental health effects to the embryo/fetus that accompanies the specific radiological procedure (.<ref name="Pub084">[[ICRP Publication 84]]Pregnancy and Medical Radiation. Ann, ICRP 30(1), 2000.</ref>
====Pregnant Patients Undergoing Diagnostic Radiology====
