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DOI: 10.1055/a-2536-7206
Position Paper

Occupational Prenatal Radiation Exposure and Occupational Safety: Position Paper for Pregnant and breastfeeding Personnel in Interventional Procedures with Ionizing Radiation

Artikel in mehreren Sprachen: English | deutsch
Lena Sophie Becker 
1   Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
,
Thomas Stein
2   Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University Freiburg, Germany
,
Anne Frisch
3   Clinic for Radiology, CVK, Charité University Hospital Berlin, Berlin, Germany
,
Cornelia Lieselotte Angelika Dewald 
1   Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
,
Sophia Freya Ulrike Blum 
4   Institute and Polyclinic for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, Dresden, Germany
,
Charlotte Wintergerst
2   Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University Freiburg, Germany
,
Giovanni Torsello
5   Department of Clinical and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Gottingen, Germany
,
Matti Jonas Peperhove
1   Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
,
Gesa Pöhler
6   Clinic for Radiology, University of Münster, Muenster, Germany
,
Emona Staudacher
7   Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
,
Mareike Franke
8   Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Cantonal Hospital Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
,
Stephanie Tritt
9   Institute of Radiology and Neuroradiology, HELIOS Dr Horst Schmidt Hospitals, Wiesbaden, Germany
,
Kerstin Westphalen
10   Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Academic hospital DRK Berlin Kopenick, Berlin, Germany
,
Philipp Bruners
7   Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
,
Stefan Rohde
11   Clinic for Radiology and Neuroradiology, Dortmund Clinic, Dortmund, Germany
,
Bernhard Gebauer
3   Clinic for Radiology, CVK, Charité University Hospital Berlin, Berlin, Germany
,
Marco Das
12   Department of Diagnostic Radiology, HELIOS Hospital Duisburg, Duisburg, Germany
,
Kerstin Jungnickel
13   Institute for diagnostic and interventional radiology, University Hospital Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
,
Martin Fiebich 
14   Inst. of Medical Physics, University of Applied Sciences Giessen, Giessen, Germany
,
Marcus Katoh
15   Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Helios Klinikum Krefeld, Krefeld, Germany
,
Philipp Paprottka
16   Department of Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Rechts der Isar, Munich, Germany
,
Michael Uder
17   Department of Radiology, Erlangen University Hospital, Erlangen, Germany
,
Frank K. Wacker
1   Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
,
Wibke Uller 
2   Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University Freiburg, Germany
,
Members of the Board “German Society of Interventional Radiology” (DeGIR; in alphabetical order):
,
Members of the German Association of Chairmen in Academic Radiology (KLR; in alphabetical order):
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Abstract

Background

The increasing number of women working in medical surgical professions involving ionizing radiation creates new challenges for the safety of both pregnant and breastfeeding employees and the management of prenatal radiation exposure. The aim of this manuscript is to discuss the biological effects of loosely-ionizing radiation, evaluate the associated risks, and discuss the principles of German radiation protection law in the context of pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Method

To assess the effects of prenatal radiation exposure, we reviewed relevant sources such as reports from the German Commission on Radiological Protection, United Nations Scientific Commission on Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR), and publications from the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). Additionally, the current German legislation, with focus on radiation protection and maternity protection laws, was outlined in context.

Conclusion

The analysis shows that adhering to regulatory dose limits minimizes the risks of pregnancy complications, congenital malformations, developmental delays, mutagenic and carcinogenic effects. Special attention is required during the first trimester, in which radiation sensitivity is highest. Adherence to legal framework and associated protective measures in Germany provides under certain conditions a safe working environment for pregnant and breastfeeding women in surgical professions that involve ionizing radiation.

Key points

This work highlights that careful risk assessment and strict adherence to radiation protection and occupational safety regulations enable pregnant and lactating women to work safely in areas associated with ionizing radiation and interventional aspects of their occupation. The need for continuous monitoring and adjustment of protective measures as well as the provision of confidential counseling services, are essential to ensure the safety of pregnant and breastfeeding workers and their children.

Citation Format

  • Becker LS, Stein T, Frisch A et al. Occupational Prenatal Radiation Exposure and Occupational Safety: Position Paper for Pregnant and breastfeeding Personnel in Interventional Procedures with Ionizing Radiation. Rofo 2025; DOI 10.1055/a-2536-7206

Keywords

interventional procedures - radiation safety - pregnancy


Publikationsverlauf

Eingereicht: 02. Dezember 2024

Angenommen nach Revision: 31. Januar 2025

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
27. März 2025

© 2025. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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