Changes

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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) ([https://www.acr.org/-/media/ACR/Files/Practice-Parameters/Pregnant-Pts.pdf]). 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 ([http://jnm.snmjournals.org/content/53/10/1633]).

Termination of pregnancy is an individual decision affected by many factors. Absorbed doses below 100 mGy to the developing embryo/fetus should not be considered a reason for terminating a pregnancy. At doses to the embryo/fetus above this level, informed decisions should be made based upon individual circumstances, including the magnitude of the estimated dose to the embryo/fetus, and the consequent risks of harm to the developing embryo/fetus and risks of cancer in later life.

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===Protecting pediatric patients===

Children are more sensitive to radiation exposure than adults. Depending on their age, organ, and tumour type, children are reported to be, on average, two to three times more sensitive to radiation than adults, and the younger the infants or children, the more radiosensitive they are at high doses. So, the potential risks of ionising radiation in paediatric patients need to be considered. Physicians should exercise caution when using ionising radiation to image or treat children. In nuclear medicine, a lower administered activity than that would be used for an adult may be used; acceptable images could still be obtained as the size of a child is typically smaller than that of an adult.