Answer to Question #2206 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Q

I had an IVP Exam (Intravenous Pyelogram) and a few abdominal/pelvic x rays to diagnose a possible kidney stone three days before the conception date. Could this have had any effect on my sperm that may result in defects on the baby?

A

It is extremely unlikely that your radiation exposure will have any effect on your child. No one can say with absolute certainty, but all data strongly suggest no effect. For example, there has been no statistically significant increase in genetic abnormalities in offspring of the nearly 100,000 Japanese atomic bomb survivors. Abnormalities have been seen in animals exposed to high doses. They can be detected only by increased incidence. There is no qualitative difference between radiation-induced and spontaneous abnormalities. That is, there is no way to determine whether a specific abnormality was caused by radiation or would have happened without it.

Conclusion: No human data has found a genetic effect of radiation. All of our risk estimates have come from extrapolation from animals, usually rodents. There is no reason for concern in your case.


S. Julian Gibbs, DDS, PhD