SBA — Single Best Answer · Review
Question 594
Biophysics → General
Classification
Question
SSBAQuestion Header
Which childhood outcome has a recognised increased risk following exposure to X-radiation in utero?
Question Stem
Select the single best answer.
Options
A
Diabetes mellitus
B
Intrauterine growth restriction
C
Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
D
Established mental retardation
E
Absence of childhood malignancy
Explanation
In-utero exposure to X-radiation is associated with increased childhood leukaemias and cancers, including acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and cerebral gliomas. Direct abdominal exposure carries greater fetal risk than a chest X-ray.
Option Validity
A) Diabetes mellitus is not identified as an established consequence of in-utero X-ray exposure.
B) Intrauterine growth restriction is not identified as an established consequence.
D) Mental retardation is not identified as an established consequence, although population IQ may be lower.
E) Increased childhood malignancy is specifically recognised.
Further Reading
Saxena R. Textbook for MRCOG-1. Chapter 9: Biophysics, pp.278–279.