Hazards and uses of prenatal diagnostic X-radiation

Diagnostic x-ray studies during any stage of gestation have been shown to increase the risk of childhood cancer in the irradiated fetus. This study reviews those risks and examines the uses of pregnant abdomen and x-ray pelvimetry studies. The abdominal films appear to have provided useful and necessary information in the management of labors and deliveries; however, the x-ray pelvimetry results appear to have provided much less usable information. The predictive values of both positive and negative x-ray pelvimetry studies were low, .57 and .66, respectively. The predictive values were low for both vertex and breech presentations. The definite hazards of prenatal diagnostic radiation studies should be carefully weighed against their possible benefits.