Like any medical test, the beneficial information gained from diagnostic imaging procedures should outweigh the risk of having the test performed. Medical imaging is a very powerful and valuable technique that can provide important and even life-saving information.
Radiation exposure is a concern for children and developing fetuses because they are more sensitive to radiation than adults. However, the risks to children or developing fetuses from medical imaging will depend on several factors. These include the type of test being performed, the amount of radiation used, and the region of the body being imaged. Parents and pregnant women should discuss the medical imaging procedure with their physician.
For more information, see the FDA’s X-rays, Pregnancy and You or the FDA’s Pediatric X-ray Imaging webpage.