| dc.description.abstract |
Objective: To determine the Volumetric Computed Tomography
Dose Index, Dose Length Product and the effective dose of
radiation delivered during routine head Computed tomography
examination in children less than 15 years at Moi Teaching and
Referral hospital and their association with Body Mass Index
and age.
Methods: This was a descriptive cross sectional study done at
Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital. A total number of 127
patients aged between 0 to 15years were recruited into the study
using systematic sampling technique. Data was collected from the
Computed tomography console and estimated effective dose
calculated. Categorical variables were summarized as
frequencies and percentages. Bivariate analysis was done using
T-test to test for association between the dependent and
independent variables between the groups. Pearson correlation
coefficient and scatter plots were used to describe the
relationship between the radiation doses, age and Body Mass
Index. A P value of <0.05 was considered to be statistically
significant.
Results: The mean age for the participants studied was 5.21years.
The most common indication for Computed tomography was
hydrocephalus (24%). The average Computed Tomography Dose
Index, Dose Length Product and effective dose was 32.84 mGy,
1006.1 mGy.cm and 4.01mSv respectively.
The effective radiation dose decreased as age increased (4.31 to
3.25 mSv, with a P= 0.025 and R=0. 511. There was no
association between Body Mass Index and the effective dose
(R=0.076).
Conclusion: Computed Tomography Dose Index of the patients
are within normal parameters with other places in the world.
The Dose Length Product and effective dose are within range
with the ones of National Diagnostic Reference Level for Kenya
but higher than others countries such as Turkey. There was
statistically significant correlation between age and effective
dose. |
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