Radiation sensitivity can vary between adult and pediatric patients due to what primary factor?

The primary factor influencing the variation in radiation sensitivity between adult and pediatric patients is age. Pediatric patients are generally more sensitive to radiation than adults for several reasons rooted in their biological development.

Children are undergoing rapid cell division and growth, which makes their tissues and organs more susceptible to the damaging effects of radiation. The developing organs and systems in children are not fully mature, which increases the long-term risk of radiation exposure leading to cancer and other health issues. Additionally, because children have a longer expected lifespan ahead of them, the potential for radiation-induced health issues may manifest over longer periods, compounding the effects over time.

While body size, gender, and BMI can play roles in how radiation dosages are calculated and administered, age is the most significant contributor when considering the inherent biological differences in radiation sensitivity between these two patient populations.