Fetal Ultrasound Linked to Brain Damage

According to news today from the National Post Online, researchers have uncovered more evidence suggesting that ultrasound scans on pregnant women may lead to brain damage in their unborn babies.

According to the article, the study is the most comprehensive done yet on the effects of ultrasound scanning. The research team found that men born to mothers who received ultrasound scans while pregnant were more likely to show signs of subtle brain damage.

Studies from the 1990s had offered hints that ultrasound scanning had an effect on unborn babies. The earlier research suggested that subtle brain damage can cause people who ought to genetically be right-handed to become left-handed and additionally, also put them at a higher risk of conditions such as epilepsy. The recent research confirmed these reports with the most compelling evidence seen yet.

Regardless of the evidence, some doctors and scientists caution that until further studies are carried out, ultrasound scanning should still be regarded as safe for pregnant mothers. However, the chairwoman of Britain’s Association for Improvement in Maternity Services, criticized doctors for insisting for years that ultrasound was totally safe.

She stated, “I am not sure at all that the benefits of ultrasound scans outweigh the downsides.” She further stated that, “We should be advising women to think very, very carefully before they have scans at all.”

National Post Online: Ultrasound linked to brain damage