Answer to Question #2703 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Q

My daughter was born in 1982 with a hip click. Recommendations were to double diaper to spread out her hips and legs. She also needed the pelvis region x rayed at separate intervals. Her ovaries were usually shielded with small shields. During one x ray, one of the shields did not cover the ovary (it was difficult to pinpoint where her ovary was over her diapers). It was a much older x-ray machine and wasn't used much. So one of her ovaries was exposed for a one-time x ray on an old-model machine. Knowing that all eggs are present in the ovary at time of birth (and not remembering which side was exposed), does she have to be concerned about an increased risk of birth defects or abnormalities in her children? She is 21 now. I haven't told her of this yet, but I feel I need to know, but want the facts so as to not cause her undue anxiety. She loves children and can't wait to have them. I'd appreciate any input or resources you can direct me to.

A

The likelihood of any problems with your daughter's future pregnancies due to radiation exposure 20 years ago is minimal, if any. All available data from both human experience and animal studies indicate that any damage produced by x rays, even in doses much greater than hers, is repaired within a few weeks. Even at large doses, only a fraction of the cells that would later develop into ova were damaged. The probability that one of these few potentially injured cells would produce a child is remote. The overwhelming probability favors no issues from her x rays. Kelly Classic Certified Medical Health Physicist