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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Does Radiation Exposure Affect Unborn Babies?

Hello. I am 30, and I had a mammogram and ultra sound today as a follow up-to a biopsy 6 months ago. Everything is fine, but my question is whether I should wait until next moth to try to get pregnant. Would the radiation affect the baby if I do get pregnant?
Thu, 24 Dec 2015
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi,
I understand your concern.
Radiation affects fetus differently at differently.It depends on the time & extent of exposure to radiation.Actually radiation reaches fetus in comparatively less dose, as it goes through mother's body to reach it.
- Radiation exposure in first 2 weeks of conception may cause fetal death.
- exposure to large dose radiation( Like dose received from 500 chest xrays) in early weeks of conception ( 2 to 18 weeks of pregnancy) is hazardous to fetus- it causes developmental defects in fetus- specially brain developments.- leading to low IQ s & mental retardation or stunted growth./ likelihood to develop cancer in later life.
_ Same type of consequences are observed in fetuses between 18 to 26 weeks when exposed to double the dose of radiation.
-After 26 weeks baby is fully grown & there is no possibility of developmental defects after radiation exposure except for slightly more chances of having cancer in later life.
* Though no bad effects of radiation exposure of mother before conception are reflected on fetuses , the conception should be postponed ,specially when it is a planned conception. It can be easily postponed till next month.
Thanks.




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How Does Radiation Exposure Affect Unborn Babies?

Hi, I understand your concern. Radiation affects fetus differently at differently.It depends on the time & extent of exposure to radiation.Actually radiation reaches fetus in comparatively less dose, as it goes through mother s body to reach it. - Radiation exposure in first 2 weeks of conception may cause fetal death. - exposure to large dose radiation( Like dose received from 500 chest xrays) in early weeks of conception ( 2 to 18 weeks of pregnancy) is hazardous to fetus- it causes developmental defects in fetus- specially brain developments.- leading to low IQ s & mental retardation or stunted growth./ likelihood to develop cancer in later life. _ Same type of consequences are observed in fetuses between 18 to 26 weeks when exposed to double the dose of radiation. -After 26 weeks baby is fully grown & there is no possibility of developmental defects after radiation exposure except for slightly more chances of having cancer in later life. * Though no bad effects of radiation exposure of mother before conception are reflected on fetuses , the conception should be postponed ,specially when it is a planned conception. It can be easily postponed till next month. Thanks.