Establishment of Diagnostic Reference Levels for Pediatric Head CT Examinations in a Tertiary Hospital

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ABSTRACT

  • 1Autherlia Dimpho Rinkie Mosiame,
  • 2Mpumelelo Nyathi ,
  • 3Dini Mawela
  • 1Sefeko Makgatho health Sciences University
  • 2Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University
  • 3Sekako Makgatho Health Sciences University

Background

Computed tomography (CT) scanners provide high-resolution three-dimensional images within seconds, reducing motion artifacts and the need for sedation in pediatric imaging. However, children are particularly vulnerable to ionizing radiation due to their developing tissues and longer post-exposure lifespan. This study proposes local diagnostic reference levels (LDRs) for pediatric head CT examination at a South African (SA) tertiary hospital.

Method

A retrospective study, conducted from January 2023 to March 2024 involving use of pediatric head CT dose length product (DLP) values. Data was stratified into four pediatric age groups: <1 year, 1– <5 years, 5 – <10 years, and 10 – 15 years. For each age group, median values were calculated as local DRLs and 75th percentile values as national DRLs and benchmarked international values.

Result

The established LDRLs were 242.6, 405.5, 715.5 and 899.3 mGy.cm for <1 year, 1– <5 years, 5 – <10 years and 10 – 15 years age groups respectively while National DRLs were 301.3, 593.1, 882.6 and 968.0 mGy.cm. for respective age groups. SA’s national DRLs for < 1-year age group surpassed Malaysia (301.3 vs 250.1 mGy.cm), indicating potential for further optimization but remained lower than Chinese (641.5 mGy·cm) and Nigeria (1040.0 mGy·cm). The SA’s DRLs (593.1 mGy.cm) were less than Nigerian (988.0 mGy.cm) and Chinese (593.1 mGy.cm) respectively for 1 – < 5-year age group but higher than Malaysian (449.0 mGy.cm). For the 5 – < 10 years age group, SA DRLs (882.6 mGy.cm) were higher than Chinese (737.7 mGy.cm) and Malaysian (458.5 mGy.cm) but lower than Nigerian (1493.0 mGy·cm). For the 10-15 years age group SA DRLs (968.0 mGy.cm) were higher than Malaysian (814.1 mGy.cm) and Chinese (777.3 mGy.cm) yet lower than Nigerian (1482.0 mGy.cm) values.

Conclusion

SA can enhance patient safety by reducing doses towards Malaysian benchmarks.
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PRESENTING AUTHOR

Ms. Autherlia Mosiame, BSc Hons (MS) (Medical Physics), BSc Physical Sciences

Student, Sefako Makgatho health Sciences University

Autherlia Mosiame holds an Honours degree in Medical Physics from Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU), with a foundational BSc in Physical Sciences. Her academic and research journey focuses on radiation safety, dose monitoring, and medical imaging applications. Autherlia has presented at multiple institutional and district-level research conferences, with her work exploring patient-related radiation exposure in PET-CT environments. She is passionate about research, public health safety, and the advancement of medical technology in clinical practice.

Personal Statement:
“I am driven by the desire to make science accessible and impactful—where data meets care, and research improves lives.”

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