Which X-ray equipment feature may hinder imaging of infants and very small children?

Phototimers are devices that automatically measure the exposure of X-ray films and adjust the radiographic technique accordingly. In imaging infants and very small children, the anatomy and body habitus can present unique challenges. Phototimers rely on a fixed setup and may not be as effective in detecting the optimal exposure needed for the smaller bodies of infants. This can lead to overexposure or underexposure of the image.

Additionally, while other features like collimation, filtration, and gonadal shielding are important for appropriate safety and imaging quality, they do not inherently hinder the imaging process in the same way that phototimers can. Collimation helps focus the X-ray beam and reduces scatter, filtration helps in minimizing unwanted lower-energy photons, and gonadal shielding is intended to protect sensitive areas but does not directly impact the imaging capability for smaller patients. Each of these features serves a purpose to improve image quality and safety, but they do not introduce the complications that phototimers can present when working with the unique needs of imaging very young patients.