RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Minimizing and Communicating Radiation Risk in Pediatric Nuclear Medicine JF Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology JO J. Nucl. Med. Technol. FD Society of Nuclear Medicine SP 13 OP 24 DO 10.2967/jnumed.109.069609 VO 40 IS 1 A1 Frederic H. Fahey A1 S. Ted Treves A1 S. James Adelstein YR 2012 UL http://tech.snmjournals.org/content/40/1/13.abstract AB The value of pediatric nuclear medicine is well established. Pediatric patients are referred to nuclear medicine from nearly all pediatric specialties including urology, oncology, cardiology, gastroenterology, and orthopedics. Radiation exposure is associated with a potential, small, risk of inducing cancer in the patient later in life and is higher in younger patients. Recently, there has been enhanced interest in exposure to radiation from medical imaging. Thus, it is incumbent on practitioners of pediatric nuclear medicine to have an understanding of dosimetry and radiation risk to communicate effectively with their patients and their families. This article reviews radiation dosimetry for radiopharmaceuticals and also CT given the recent proliferation of PET/CT and SPECT/CT. It also describes the scientific basis for radiation risk estimation in the context of pediatric nuclear medicine. Approaches for effective communication of risk to patients’ families are discussed. Lastly, radiation dose reduction in pediatric nuclear medicine is explicated.