Are Prenatal Ultrasounds Dangerous?

In 2004, the Food and Drug Administration advised against parents getting ultrasounds solely for keepsakes. The FDA warned in the FDA Consumer Magazine (September 2005) that, "ultrasound is a form of energy, and even at low levels, laboratory studies have shown it can produce physical effect in tissue, such as jarring vibrations and a rise in temperature."

Despite this warning, most cities across the US have commercial ultrasound services that provide ultrasounds for parents, not for medical purposes. The rise in temperature caused by ultrasound machinery can potentially cause damage in fetal tissue, including the central nervous system. To some, this means that excessive use of ultrasound technology can lead to potential birth defects.

Midwifery Today stated in their February, 2010 issue of E-News that there are Problems with Sound and Heat in Prenatal Ultrasound. Based on studies they pulled together, the risks of ultrasound technology go beyond just for use in "keepsake" ultrasounds. According to Caroline Rodgers, the author of the article, "if ultrasound can injure babies, it can cause the same damage whether done for routine, diagnostic or 'entertainment' purposes."

Rodgers goes further to potentially link the damage caused by ultrasounds to the increasing rates of autism. In her article Questions about Prenatal Ultrasound and the Alarming Increase in Autism (Midwifery Today Issue 80, Winter 2006), Rodgers poses the scenario that ultrasounds could be the cause of at least some cases of autism and other neurological problems. She says, "while not discounting the role genetics may play in autism, the possible impact of prenatal ultrasound deserves serious consideration."

As far back as 1982, there have been warnings about the dangers of ultrasound use. The World Health Organization warned in 1982 that "neurological, behavioral, developmental, immunological, haematological changes and reduced fetal weight can result from exposure to ultrasound."

Whether or not ultrasound technology is the cause of the increase in autism rates, there are still known risks. While these risks are considered low, parents should still be aware that they do exist. Ultrasounds can be very useful for discovering and tracking medical conditions during pregnancy. The benefits of this technology needs to be weighed against the possible dangers in each pregnancy.