Department of Radiology
Pregnancy testing before certain types of X-rays
Information for patients & parents
Introduction
National guidance recommends that NHS organisations should check if a patient is
pregnant before they do certain types of x-rays1. This guidance applies to women and girls
aged between 12 and 55 years.
Keeping patients safe in hospital
We already ask many questions about a patient’s health; for example the medicines they
are taking and if they have any allergies. We will also be asking girls and young women
questions about pregnancy to avoid the risk of harm.
What are the risks?
Some x-rays can harm an unborn baby if they are carried out when a patient is pregnant.
There is no risk of death, birth defects, growth problems or mental impairment in an
unborn child exposed to x-rays. But the doses of radiation used in procedures like CT
scans, barium enemas and nuclear medicine scans, can increase the risk of cancer1.
• Computerised Tomography (CT) uses several beams of X-ray at the same time, from
different angles, to give a detailed picture of the inside of the body. A CT involving the
pelvis and tummy area, if done in the early weeks of pregnancy, can increase the risk of
childhood cancer in an unborn child.
• A barium enema is a type of X-ray of the rectum (the inside of your bottom). It uses a
liquid containing a metallic element called barium, which helps get clearer x-ray pictures
of the area.
• Nuclear medicine scans use a special camera (gamma) to take pictures showing the
function of different parts of the body. A radioactive chemical that can be picked up by
the scanner is injected into the body.
These radiological examinations should be avoided during pregnancy, and if possible even
in undiagnosed pregnancy.
Some surgical procedures, including orthopaedic (bone) surgery and cardiac (heart)
procedures also involve the use of x-rays in doses that should be avoided in pregnancy.
The small increase in risk of childhood cancer does not justify termination of pregnancy if
these x-rays are required in an emergency3.
Testing for Pregnancy at Alder Hey
All female patients aged 12 years or older who are having a procedure
involving a high dose of radiation will be asked to provide a sample of
urine for a pregnancy test before their procedure.
Patients are asked to arrive at least 30 minutes before their x-ray is due
in order to complete the pregnancy test without delaying their
procedure.
Pregnancy testing before certain types of X-rays
Information for patients & parents
Introduction
National guidance recommends that NHS organisations should check if a patient is
pregnant before they do certain types of x-rays1. This guidance applies to women and girls
aged between 12 and 55 years.
Keeping patients safe in hospital
We already ask many questions about a patient’s health; for example the medicines they
are taking and if they have any allergies. We will also be asking girls and young women
questions about pregnancy to avoid the risk of harm.
What are the risks?
Some x-rays can harm an unborn baby if they are carried out when a patient is pregnant.
There is no risk of death, birth defects, growth problems or mental impairment in an
unborn child exposed to x-rays. But the doses of radiation used in procedures like CT
scans, barium enemas and nuclear medicine scans, can increase the risk of cancer1.
• Computerised Tomography (CT) uses several beams of X-ray at the same time, from
different angles, to give a detailed picture of the inside of the body. A CT involving the
pelvis and tummy area, if done in the early weeks of pregnancy, can increase the risk of
childhood cancer in an unborn child.
• A barium enema is a type of X-ray of the rectum (the inside of your bottom). It uses a
liquid containing a metallic element called barium, which helps get clearer x-ray pictures
of the area.
• Nuclear medicine scans use a special camera (gamma) to take pictures showing the
function of different parts of the body. A radioactive chemical that can be picked up by
the scanner is injected into the body.
These radiological examinations should be avoided during pregnancy, and if possible even
in undiagnosed pregnancy.
Some surgical procedures, including orthopaedic (bone) surgery and cardiac (heart)
procedures also involve the use of x-rays in doses that should be avoided in pregnancy.
The small increase in risk of childhood cancer does not justify termination of pregnancy if
these x-rays are required in an emergency3.
Testing for Pregnancy at Alder Hey
All female patients aged 12 years or older who are having a procedure
involving a high dose of radiation will be asked to provide a sample of
urine for a pregnancy test before their procedure.
Patients are asked to arrive at least 30 minutes before their x-ray is due
in order to complete the pregnancy test without delaying their
procedure.
