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Ultrasound during pregnancy and birthweight, childhood malignancies and neurological development
1National Center for Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Trondheim University Hospital, Norway. pepes@medisin.ntnu.no
Insights
Diagnostic ultrasound during pregnancy shows no link to birthweight, cancer, or developmental issues in children. Further research is needed on potential links to non-right-handedness in boys.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Pediatric Neurology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- In utero exposure to diagnostic ultrasound is common.
- Concerns exist regarding potential long-term effects on child development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review epidemiological evidence on in utero ultrasound exposure and child development.
- To assess associations with birthweight, childhood malignancies, and neurological outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Summary of epidemiological studies.
- Meta-analysis of neurological outcomes including handedness, speech, motor development, hearing, and vision.
Main Results:
- No evidence of association between diagnostic ultrasound and reduced birthweight.
- No evidence of association between diagnostic ultrasound and childhood malignancies.
- No evidence of association between diagnostic ultrasound and neurological maldevelopment.
Conclusions:
- Current epidemiological data do not support a link between diagnostic ultrasound in pregnancy and adverse child development outcomes.
- The potential association between ultrasound exposure and non-right-handedness in male infants requires additional investigation.
Abstract:
The present paper summarizes some of the epidemiological studies of in utero ultrasound exposure and subsequent childhood development. Emphasis is placed on birthweight, childhood malignancies and neurological development. A meta-analysis, including neurological outcomes such as handedness, speech development, motor development, hearing and vision, is presented. The epidemiological evidence does not indicate any association between diagnostic ultrasound exposure during pregnancy and reduced birthweight, childhood malignancies or neurological maldevelopment. The possible association between ultrasound and nonrighthandedness among boys needs further evaluation.