What is a key factor for adjusting radiographic techniques for infants and small children?

The key factor for adjusting radiographic techniques for infants and small children is patient size. Infants and small children have a significantly smaller body mass and thinner tissues compared to adults, which means that standard exposures may not be appropriate. Radiographic techniques, including the selection of exposure factors such as kVp (kilovolt peak) and mAs (milliampere-seconds), need to be modified to prevent overexposure and ensure adequate image quality. Smaller patients are also more sensitive to radiation, so adjusting techniques to their size helps reduce their exposure while still producing diagnostic images.

While gestational age, gonadal shielding, and body surface area are important considerations in pediatric radiography, they do not play as direct a role in modifying the exposure factors as patient size does. Body surface area may influence certain calculations, but focusing on the overall size of the patient is crucial for effectively achieving the correct radiographic technique.