Abdominal computed tomography during pregnancy: a review of indications and fetal radiation exposure issues

Abstract

This article reviews the radiation risks to the developing fetus when exposed in utero to diagnostic radiological procedures. The discussion focuses primarily on abdominal computed tomography as this is the examination that delivers the highest radiation dose to the fetus among the diagnostic radiological procedures performed during pregnancy. The review describes the common indications for abdominal computed tomography, the biological risks to the developing fetus, radiation dose, and dose modulation techniques as well as the need for establishing a pregnancy policy to guide performance of radiological investigations in pregnancy.