Abstract
The purpose of this study is to provide the basic data for reducing unnecessary radiation dose to the abdomen and fetus of pregnant women by presenting proper height of shielding protector for efficient abdominal shielding in chest PA examination of Korean pregnant women. The subjects of this study were 288 persons who were eligible for this study among 798 pregnant women who had chest PA examination from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2016 Retrospective study was performed. Measurements was performed from the apex of the right and left lungs to costophrenic angle of the right and left lungs and to the lowest costophrenic angle among the right and left lungs at the top of the image(this line called Joo's line in this study). The mean of the right and left lung height of pregnant women were 259.09 mm and 263.57 mm, respectively. Also, the average height of the Joo's line designed by the researcher for proper abdominal radiation protection was 322.15 mm. For proper and efficient abdominal radiation protection for pregnant women, it is necessary to adjust the shielding according to the height of the pregnant woman. It is appropriate that the height of the shielding protector should be adjusted so that the upper part of the shield is located at 342.30 mm below from upper part of the detector.