The quality criteria for diagnostic radiographic images in paediatrics

Because of their longer life expectancy, the risk of late manifestations of detrimental radiation effects is greater in children than in adult,. Many paediatric radiographic examinations are performed by surgeons, paediatricians and adult radiologists with variable: knowledge of specific paediatric pathology, radiographic technique and radioprotection. Therefore, in order to optimize medical exposures in children, it is essential to develop quality criteria specifically adapted to paediatric imaging that can he used throughout Europe. With the help of the European Commission, the European Network of Paediatric Radiologists (ENPR), has laid out the status of paediatric radiology in Europe and then elaborated European Guidelines on Quality Criteria for Diagnostic Radiographic Images in Paediatrics. The applicability of the quality criteria has been checked in large European trials involving about 160 X ray departments. These quality criteria are currently being extended to include paediatric fluoroscopy and CT.