Answer to Question #2141 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Q

I am a speech language pathologist and am wondering about the risks of radiation from Modified Barium Swallow Studies in relation to conception and pregnancy.

A

I understand your concern and I will try to explain why your anxiety and concern is not warranted in your present situation. When you received a diagnostic x-ray study, such as a barium swallow at a qualified facility, the exposure of the x rays is not to your embryo. The "scatter" that might reach the embryo would be extremely small and would not represent an increased risk for birth defects or miscarriage to your embryo. If you are concerned about exposure to your ovaries and the reproductive risks for future pregnancies, the scatter radiation from a barium swallow would be small and would not interfere with your fertility. The most important characteristic of x rays that concerns us is the dose. You may not know that we ourselves are radioactive and we are exposed to many sources of natural radiation that we cannot avoid. Your developing embryo did not receive a dose that would result in any measurable increased reproductive risk. If you are healthy, young and have no reproductive problems or family history of reproductive problems your risk for birth defects is 3% and for miscarriage, 15%, if the exposure occurred before or during pregnancy. Neither you nor I can change that risk which all mothers have when they begin a pregnancy. Good luck with your pregnancy.

Robert L. Brent MD, PhD, DSC