Effects of Radiation

Effects on Pregnant Women

Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS):
○ High doses of radiation can lead to ARS, which causes symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fatigue. This is rare but can occur in cases of
severe exposure.
Increased Cancer Risk:
○ Long-term exposure to radiation can increase the risk of cancer. This risk is
generally small for diagnostic procedures but higher for those exposed to
therapeutic or accidental radiation.
Impact on Reproductive Organs:
○ High doses of radiation can damage reproductive organs, potentially affecting
fertility and menstrual cycles.

The foetus is particularly sensitive to radiation, and the effects can vary depending on the
stage of pregnancy:

Pre-implantation Stage (0-2 weeks):
○ Exposure during this period can lead to the "all-or-nothing" effect, where the embryo either dies or survives without any abnormalities. High doses can cause miscarriage.
Organogenesis Stage (2-8 weeks):
○ This is the period of organ formation, and exposure can lead to congenital malformations. Effects can include neural tube defects, limb deformities, and other structural abnormalities.
Foetal Stage (8 weeks to birth):
○ Radiation exposure during this period can affect the development of the brain, leading to intellectual disabilities, microcephaly (small head size), and growth retardation. The risk of cancer later in life also increases.

Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities:
○ Exposure between 8-25 weeks of pregnancy is particularly critical for brain development, and radiation can cause cognitive impairments and
developmental delays.
Growth Retardation:
○ Both prenatal and postnatal growth can be affected by radiation exposure, leading to lower birth weights and shorter stature.
Childhood Cancer:
○ Prenatal exposure to radiation is associated with an increased risk of
developing leukemia and other cancers in childhood.
Pregnancy Loss:
○ High doses of radiation can cause miscarriage or stillbirth.