Is MRI imaging in pediatric age totally safe? A critical reprisal.

2018 · Unclear · Insufficient evidence

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UnclearInsufficient evidencePaper 2097

This paper retrospectively reviews literature on potential risks of MRI in pediatric patients, highlighting concerns about biological effects of MRI-related non-ionizing EMF, acoustic noise, ferromagnetic device hazards, sedation/general anaesthesia, and gado…

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2018

Study typereview

Reported directionUnclear

Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

Is MRI imaging in pediatric age totally safe? A critical reprisal. Salerno S, Granata C, Trapenese M, Cannata V, Curione D, Rossi Espagnet MC, Magistrelli A, Tomà P. Is MRI imaging in pediatric age totally safe? A critical reprisal. Radiol Med. 2018 May 3. doi: 10.1007/s11547-018-0896- 1. Abstract Current radiological literature is strongly focussed on radiation imaging risks. Indeed, given there is a small but actual augment in cancer risk from exposure to ionizing radiation in children, it is important to understand what the risk of alternative techniques could be. We retrospectively review literature data concerning possible MR imaging risks, focussing on the biological effects of MR, sedation and gadolinium compound risks when dealing with infant patients. The main concerns can be summarized in: (1) Biological effects of non-ionizing electromagnetic fields (EMF) employed-whose mechanisms of interaction with human tissues are polarization, induced current, and thermal heating, respectively. (2) Risks associated with noises produced during MRI examinations. (3) Hazards from ferromagnetic external and/or implanted devices-whose risk of being unintentionally brought inside MR room is higher in children than in adults. (4) Risks associated with sedation or general anaesthesia, essential problem in performing MR in very young patients, due to the exam long-lasting. (5) Risks related to gadolinium-based contrast agents, especially considering the newly reported brain deposition. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typereview

Effect directionunclear

Populationpediatric patients/children (including infants; very young patients)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureNot supplied

Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 66% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

biological effects of non-ionizing electromagnetic fields used in MRI (polarization, induced current, thermal heating)
noise-related risks during MRI
hazards related to ferromagnetic external and/or implanted devices in MRI environment
risks associated with sedation or general anaesthesia for MRI
risks related to gadolinium-based contrast agents (including reported brain deposition)

Limitations

Retrospective review of literature data (methods and inclusion criteria not described in the abstract).
No quantitative exposure metrics (e.g., field strength, SAR) reported in the abstract.
No sample size or effect estimates provided in the abstract.

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "review",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "MRI",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "pediatric patients/children (including infants; very young patients)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "biological effects of non-ionizing electromagnetic fields used in MRI (polarization, induced current, thermal heating)",
    "noise-related risks during MRI",
    "hazards related to ferromagnetic external and/or implanted devices in MRI environment",
    "risks associated with sedation or general anaesthesia for MRI",
    "risks related to gadolinium-based contrast agents (including reported brain deposition)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "This paper retrospectively reviews literature on potential risks of MRI in pediatric patients, highlighting concerns about biological effects of MRI-related non-ionizing EMF, acoustic noise, ferromagnetic device hazards, sedation/general anaesthesia, and gadolinium-based contrast agent risks including reported brain deposition.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [
    "Retrospective review of literature data (methods and inclusion criteria not described in the abstract).",
    "No quantitative exposure metrics (e.g., field strength, SAR) reported in the abstract.",
    "No sample size or effect estimates provided in the abstract."
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.66,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "MRI",
    "pediatric",
    "infants",
    "non-ionizing electromagnetic fields",
    "EMF",
    "thermal heating",
    "induced current",
    "noise",
    "ferromagnetic devices",
    "sedation",
    "general anaesthesia",
    "gadolinium-based contrast agents",
    "brain deposition"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.2,
      "reason": "Discusses non-ionizing EMF biological effects and safety considerations, but no specific guideline body is mentioned in the abstract."
    }
  ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1007/s11547-018-0896
PubMed: Not supplied

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