Epidemiological study to quantify risks for paediatric computerized tomography and to optimise doses (EPI-CT)
The purpose of the study is to establish a European cohort of children under 20 years old who have undergone one or more CT scans, in order to estimate the risk of leukemia, other cancers, and other adverse health effects.
About the project
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Project period: 31.01.2011 - 31.12.2027 (Active)
- Coordinating Institution: Norwegian Institute of Public Health
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Project Manager:
- Steffan Daniel Bos-Haugen, Folkehelseinstituttet
Summary
Examinations using computed tomography (CT) contribute to about 80% of the population's radiation dose from medical diagnostics and treatment. Today, relatively much is known about the health effects associated with ionizing radiation when the dose is high and when the exposed individuals are adults. When it comes to low doses, the knowledge is more uncertain and partly model-based. Empirical knowledge about risk at low doses is in demand. There is particularly reason to believe that children may be at risk, both because they are more sensitive to radiation, the dose is assumed to be relatively higher than in adults, and they have a longer time to develop damage than older individuals. The purpose of the study is to establish a European cohort of children under 20 years of age who have undergone one or more CT examinations, to estimate the risk of leukemia, other cancers, and other negative health effects. The results will be used to optimize radiation doses in CT and contribute to the development of European and national professional recommendations for the use of CT among children.