Is interruption of pregnancy ever justified because of radiation dose to embryo/fetus during a diagnostic X-ray examination?

• A. Always permissible
• B. Never permissible
• C. Only if the doctor approves
• D. Never, ever, ever

Answer: (D)

The important idea is that exposure to radiation from a diagnostic X-ray is kept very small and carefully justified, especially when a pregnancy is involved. The fetal dose from standard diagnostic exams is typically far below levels associated with harm, and modern practice uses shielding and dose optimization to minimize any potential risk. Because of that, ending a pregnancy solely because of the dose from a single or typical diagnostic X-ray is not justified. If a higher fetal dose were possible due to unusual or repeated procedures, the clinician would discuss the actual risk with the patient, estimate the fetal dose, and explore options, but termination would not be considered a standard or automatic response to diagnostic imaging exposure. In essence, these exposures do not warrant pregnancy interruption on their own.