Diagnostic x-rays are no cause for abortion—but caution is advised
The American College of Radiology (ACR) has taken a strong stand against therapeutic abortions in women who have undergone radiological examinations in the first weeks of pregnancy.
At the same time, the college repeated previous warnings that scheduling examinations may not be really necessary.
Reynold F. Brown, MD, vice-chairman of the ACR's new Commission on Public Health and Radiation Protection, summed up the college's position as follows:
"Interruption of pregnancy is never justified because of exposure of the embryo or fetus to a diagnostic x-ray examination. This includes exposures from both abdominal and peripheral examinations.
"Diagnostic x-ray examinations that have been requested or performed after full consideration of the clinical status of the patient, including the possibility of pregnancy, need not be postponed or selectively scheduled—except in those few instances where the examination may not be related to the
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