SAR in the mother and foetus for RF plane wave irradiation

Phys Med Biol. 2007 Jul 7;52(13):3791-802. doi: 10.1088/0031-9155/52/13/009. Epub 2007 May 29.

Abstract

This paper describes the finite-difference time-domain calculation of SAR from 20 MHz to 3 GHz in hybrid voxel-mathematical models of the pregnant female. Mathematical models of the developing foetus at 8-, 13-, 26- and 38-week gestation were converted into voxels and combined with the reference adult female model, NAOMI at a resolution of 2 mm. Whole-body averaged SAR in the mother is presented as well as the average over the foetus, over the foetal brain and in 10 g of the foetus. The electric field values required to produce the ICNIRP public exposure restriction of 2 W kg(-1) when averaged over 10 g of the foetus were calculated. Comparison suggests that the ICNIRP public reference level is a conservative predictor of local SAR in the foetus.

MeSH terms

  • Brain / metabolism
  • Computer Simulation
  • Electromagnetic Fields
  • Female
  • Fetus / radiation effects*
  • Gestational Age
  • Humans
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Phantoms, Imaging
  • Pregnancy
  • Radiation Dosage
  • Radio Waves*
  • Radiometry
  • Time Factors
  • Whole Body Imaging