Follow-Ups to Answer from Expert Lawrence Jay Rappaport <B>M.D.</B>
David J. Keys, PhD, FACR, FAAPM, FACMP wrote at 2008-12-11 15:53:36
From the patients question, it would appear that the CT scan were takwen of the thoracic region. There is no documented evidence of fetal injury, chromosonal or otherwise, due to the radiation levels which the fetus would have received. The radiation levels are low. In addition the exam was evidently performed in the first month of pregnancy, a time at which an all-or -none phenomena occurs. Either the embryo survives without negative effects or as Dr. Rappaport indicated, a miscarriage occurs. Every pregnancy naturally has a risk of complications whether genetic or environmental. The chance for chromosome damage due to this level of radiation levels is well below the natural occurence of complications.
