Safety of antenatal ultrasound?
Ultrasound has become a common investigative tool for doctors. One of the main uses of an ultrasound is in the field of obstetrics. Ultrasound has in some cases become a routine practise in antenatal clinics. And doctors, including myself, believe that ultrasound remains safe for use in antenatal care. But its safety has now come under scrutiny with many groups calling for more research into long term effects on the fetus. What seemed perfectly safe many years ago is now deemed potentially hazardous. So the recommendation now is to avoid unnecessary exposure and performed only when clinically indicated.
Ultrasound uses high-pitched sound waves inaudible to humans. These sound waves are then reflected back to the transducer which then produces a digital image. Some believe that the frequency of these sound waves can damage certain organs in the fetus. Some studies suggest possible intrauterine growth retardation while others suggest a possible link with impaired or delayed speech development. The radiologymalaysia.org website also suggested possible thermal and local mechanical effects attributable to ultrasound use.
No doubt the advent of the ultrasound has not improved the rates of maternal and perinatal mortality. But its clinical usefulness has never been in doubt. From dating a baby to assessing fetal growth, ultrasound has proved tremendously useful. As antenatal care moves toward prenatal diagnosis of illnesses, the role of ultrasound could possibly expand.
But the central question is "Is ultrasound safe?" After more than 25 years of clinical use, ultrasound has not been concretely linked to any abnormalities to date. Majority undergo this investigation without much fuss both to the mother and the baby. However, due to the growing concern on its safety and the paucity of research on its long term safety profile , the recommendation is to perform an ultrasound only when indicated and to minimise the duration of exposure to the fetus. Common GP practise of determining the sex of the baby has been deemed inappropriate and unethical!
Dangers of prenatal ultrasound
Radiology Malaysia : Routine ultrasound scan during pregnancy?
Ultrasound uses high-pitched sound waves inaudible to humans. These sound waves are then reflected back to the transducer which then produces a digital image. Some believe that the frequency of these sound waves can damage certain organs in the fetus. Some studies suggest possible intrauterine growth retardation while others suggest a possible link with impaired or delayed speech development. The radiologymalaysia.org website also suggested possible thermal and local mechanical effects attributable to ultrasound use.
No doubt the advent of the ultrasound has not improved the rates of maternal and perinatal mortality. But its clinical usefulness has never been in doubt. From dating a baby to assessing fetal growth, ultrasound has proved tremendously useful. As antenatal care moves toward prenatal diagnosis of illnesses, the role of ultrasound could possibly expand.
But the central question is "Is ultrasound safe?" After more than 25 years of clinical use, ultrasound has not been concretely linked to any abnormalities to date. Majority undergo this investigation without much fuss both to the mother and the baby. However, due to the growing concern on its safety and the paucity of research on its long term safety profile , the recommendation is to perform an ultrasound only when indicated and to minimise the duration of exposure to the fetus. Common GP practise of determining the sex of the baby has been deemed inappropriate and unethical!
Dangers of prenatal ultrasound
Radiology Malaysia : Routine ultrasound scan during pregnancy?
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