Safety of Routine Ultrasound

 

Diagnostic ultrasound of the developing fetus has largely been considered safe without apparent deleterious effect. The potential teratogenecity of sound energy conversion to thermal energy and mechanical bio effect of cavitation's have not been proven or ascribed to diagnostic ultrasound.The American Institute of Ultrasounds(AIUM) 1998 conference on mechanical; bioeffect encouraged continued research regarding ultrasound safety, especially in tissues with known gas . i.e. lung and intestine. The conference did conclude there is no known risk of lung or intestinal hemorrhage in the fluid filled human fetal lung or intestine that exposed to diagnostic ultrasound during routine obstetrical examination. In, the AIUM stated although there are no confirmed biological; effect from ultrasound at the present time, the possibility exist that such as biological effects may be identified in the future. Other researcher about it: the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG): does not support. The US Preventive Services Task Force, Randomized Controlled Trials of Routine Ultrasound An early prospective randomized trial of routine obstetric ultrasound was performed by Bennet et al in London, in study, 1062 women underwent routine ultrasound at16 week menstrual age. The fetal biparietal diameter BPD was measured and dates corrected in 25% of the patients, mostly due to an overestimation from the last menstrual period. In response to the 1984 NIH consensus Conference, the routine Antenatal Diagnostic Imaging with Ultrasound (RADIUS) trial was created as the largest prospective randomized controlled trial routine versus selective antenatal ultrasound. The conclusion that routine mid trimester ultrasound is an effective diagnostic tool. Establishment of accurate gestational age, detection of fetal anomalies and multiple gestations and reduction are proven benefits of routine ultrasound. The benefit burden calculus of routine antenatal ultrasonography support its use and fulfillment of ethical principles of beneficence and respect for patients autonomy (Geeta Sharma, Stepen T Chasen , Frank A Chevernak)