PurposeDue to the higher radiosensitivity of the tissues and the larger life expectancy in children than in adults, the present study presented the process of optimizing pediatric brain CT protocols, for the age groups 0 to 2 years, 3 to 5 years, and 6 to 12 years, evaluating the parameters of image acquisition and dose reduction, without loss of quality in image diagnostics. Methods: The CTDIvol index and DLP were verified in samples of routinely used protocols for patients in the age groups previously specified, as well as the image acquisition parameters. Based on these data, experimental protocols were developed and the contrast-to-noise ratios of the images produced were analyzed. The figure of merit (FOM) was used as a quality metric for quality analysis in comparison with CTDIvol and DLP levels. Results: The results showed a reduction in the CTDIvol index in the three studied protocols: 10.5% in the 0 to 2 years protocol, 33% in the 3 to 6 years protocol, and 16% in the 6 to 12 years protocol. DLP was also reduced by 14%, 41% and 25%, respectively, for the three age groups, in relation to previously used protocols. With regard to FOM, there were increases in quality of 6%, 19%, and 43%, respectively, for the three age groups. Conclusion: Considering the alteration of the image acquisition parameters, it was possible to achieve a dose reduction, without loss of diagnostic quality, according to the FOM metric.