Radiation embryology

Abstract

Prenatal development, characterized by intensive cell proliferation, cell differentiation and cell migration, shows a high radiosensitivity. Therefore, radiation exposure of embryos and fetuses is of great concern for radiological protection and human health. Irradiation during gestation can cause death, growth disorders, malformations, functional impairment and malignant diseases in childhood. These effects are strongly dependent on the developmental stage at exposure and on the radiation dose. The first trimester of pregnancy is regarded as the period with the highest risk for malformation and cancer induction. The developing nervous system shows a special susceptibility to ionizing radiation over a long period and is therefore of great significance for risk estimation. Knowledge about radiation effects on prenatal development has been derived from animal experimentation and from the exposure of human embryos. There is evidence that doses between 1 and 10 cGy may lead to developmental anomalies and that the radiation response can be modified by additional factors.

Radiation- and contrast medium-free catheter-directed thrombolysis for early pregnancy-related massive iliocaval deep venous thrombosis

“…Radiation exposure in the first trimester may cause fetal death (16,17). The fetal radiation dose resulting from catheter-directed thrombolysis in the first trimester can be calculated in the range of 175-245 mGy, which is associated with a childhood cancer risk of 1.3%-2%.…”

2018 ACC/HRS/NASCI/SCAI/SCCT Expert Consensus Document on Optimal Use of Ionizing Radiation in Cardiovascular Imaging: Best Practices for Safety and Effectiveness

“…Knowledge of the effects of ionizing radiation on the human embryo and developing fetus is derived from multiple sources including the Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and Chernobyl experiences, as well as radiation of pregnant experimental animals . Detrimental radiation effects include embryonic death, fetal malformations, impaired fetal development (particularly neurological), and increased risk of future cancer . The type of event and its dose‐risk relationship is variable throughout the stages of pregnancy and is summarized in Tables 10 and 11 (38–40).…”

Radiation exposure and pregnancy

“…Those factors include controversy over the dose of radiation, the influence of neutron radiation, and other environmental conditions surrounding this event. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] Effects of ionizing radiation on the fetus. Radiation risks throughout pregnancy are related to the stage of pregnancy and the absorbed dose.…”