Ionizing radiation and contrast agents used for imaging during pregnancy

L.M. Guzga, V. Drăgoi, G. Peltecu, A.M. Panaitescu

Rezumat: Maternal medical conditions can appear often during pregnancy and may require radiographic imaging for proper diagnosis and treatment. Many clinicians are still skeptical in using this diagnostic method due to its potential harm to the foetus. This article aims to bring to the attention that radiation exposure through radiography, computed tomography (CT) scans or nuclear medicine imaging techniques in usual settings is at a dose much lower than the exposure associated with fetal harm. The use of gadolinium contrast with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) should be limited. This may be used as a contrast agent in a pregnant patient only if it significantly improves diagnostic performance and is expected to improve fetal or maternal outcome. Breastfeeding should not be interrupted after gadolinium administration.
Cuvinte cheie: ionizing radiation, contrast agents, pregnancy, foetus.