Abstract
The aim of this study is to compare the radiation dose and cancer incidence risk associated with two chest Computed Tomography (CT) protocols: routine chest CT (RC-CT) and COVID-19 Diagnosis CT protocol (CD-CT). The study included 254 pediatric patients divided into three age groups: G1 (<5), G2 (5–<10), and G3 (10–15). The effective diameter, volumetric CT dose index (CTDIvol), dose length product (DLP), size specific dose estimate (SSDE), organ doses, and cancer incidence risk were calculated for the two protocols. Organ doses (mSv) and effective dose (mSv) were estimated using the National Cancer Institute dosimetry system for CT (NCICT) software. Estimation of cancer incidence risks were conducted according to the Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation (BEIR) VII report. The oldest group (G3) in two protocols exhibited the greatest values for CTDIvol, DLP, effective dose and SSDE. The results showed that CD-CT protocol resulted in statistically significant (p < 0.05) lower organ doses and cancer incidence risk. The cancer incidence risk for both protocols did not exceed the reference levels reported in literature surveys on pediatric CT chest radiation dose for all age groups. It can be concluded that the choice of CT protocol can significantly impact the radiation dose received by pediatric patients during CT imaging, highlighting the importance of carefully selecting the appropriate protocol to minimize radiation exposure.