Family Life

01.04.11 | Sarah Harnisch

  On average, kids may get seven radiation scans by the time they turn 18 years old. The first large-scale study on the use of x rays is out.  It looked at 335-thousand kids in five states. Most of the scans are x-rays-- which emit little radiation-- but there is worry over C.A.T. scans, which were also included in the study, and are commonly used to check for brain injuries or appendicitis.  8 percent of kids have had 1 C.A.T. scan; 3 percent-- have had 2 or more. The risk of a child developing fatal cancer after a C.A.T. scan is eight times higher then it is for a 50 year old.