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Answer to Question #3037 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"Category: Pregnancy and Radiation — Conception after exposures The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field: Q
My 20-year-old daughter just underwent 25 x rays of her abdomen to diagnose a kidney/bladder problem. What has this amount of radiation done to her eggs? She is very concerned about possible birth defects.
A
Without the detail of knowing what types of x rays were taken, whether the ovaries were exposed in all or just some of them, and whether they were a combination of standard x rays or included fluoroscopy, I am not able to estimate the level of radiation dose. If you are interested in knowing this, I would suggest you check at the healthcare facility where these x rays were performed and ask if the facility's medical physicist (or someone similar) could estimate that for you. There currently is limited and contradictory information on the effects to the ovaries from radiation exposure received during diagnostic procedures. If there are genetic risks at diagnostic levels, they appear to be very small (Wagner et al. 1997). It is, however, generally recommended that after exposure to x rays in the abdominal/pelvic area that a woman wait two to six months before conceiving. In the meantime you should realize that the risks that are present in every pregnancy are 3% for birth defects and 15% for miscarriage. This is for healthy women without reproductive or genetic problems in themselves or their family history. Kelly Classic Reference
Answer posted on 8 October 2003. The information and material posted on this Web site is intended as general reference information only. Specific facts and circumstances may alter the concepts and applications of materials and information described herein. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice specific to whatever facts and circumstances are presented in any given situation. Answers are correct at the time they are posted on the Web site. Be advised that over time, some requirements could change, new data could be made available, or Internet links could change. For answers that have been posted for several months or longer, please check the current status of the posted information prior to using the responses for specific applications.
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