Computerized
Tomography (CT) and pregnancy
Are CT scanners safe during pregnancy?
CT is the generic
name for an imaging procedure called computed axial tomography
scan. The CT scan procedure uses
a computer to combine multiple X-ray images to produce three-dimensional
cross-sectional images of internal organs and other body structures. Learn more
about x-rays during pregnancy.
Why are they being executed?
CT is used to
evaluate internal structures within the body.
Common problems that
a CT scan may encounter include:
- Head - blood clots, skull fractures, tumors and
infections
- Spine - vertebral fractures and herniated discs
- Chest - heart abnormalities, lung abnormalities
and infections
- Abdomen - tumors, Infections, Anatomy Abnormalities,
Appendicitis and Cysts
What are the risks of having a CT scan during pregnancy?
CT involves exposure
to radiation at levels slightly higher than conventional x-rays. The effective
radiation dose from this procedure is about 10 mSv, which is about the same as
what the average person receives from background radiation (i.e. the sun) in 3
years.
However, the benefit
of obtaining an accurate diagnosis may outweigh the risk associated with
radiation exposure.
No diagnostic x-ray
has a radiation dose large enough to cause adverse effects on a developing
embryo or fetus. In general, CT scans are not recommended during pregnancy
unless the benefits of CT scans clearly outweigh the potential risks.
The most common
complaint is adverse reactions to the dye used in CT scans. The reaction may
include itching, hives, nausea, or rapid breathing. Serious reactions, such as
difficulty breathing, are rare. As with any medical procedure, it is important
that your doctor knows you are pregnant before any medical test or procedure.
What about CT scans and breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding mothers should wait 24 to 48 hours after a CT scan dye injection before resuming breastfeeding. The dye can be passed to the baby through breast milk.