RESUMO
BACKGROUND: There are minimal data on radiation doses to infants and children undergoing a modified barium swallow (MBS) study. OBJECTIVE: To document screening times, dose area product (DAP) and effective doses to children undergoing MBS and to determine factors associated with increased screening times and effective dose. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fluoroscopic data (screening time, DAP, kVp) for 90 consecutive MBS studies using pulse fluoroscopy were prospectively recorded; effective dose was calculated and data were analyzed for effects of behavior, number of swallow presentations, swallowing dysfunction and medical problems. RESULTS: Mean effective dose for the entire group was 0.0826 +/- 0.0544 mSv, screening time 2.48 +/- 0.81 min, and DAP 28.79 +/- 41.72 cGy cm2. Significant differences were found across three age groups (