For the Health of Your Baby, Stay Away From Unnecessary Ultrasounds

A study has shown that the frequent use of ultrasound causes brain abnormalities in the developing fetuses of mice.

A small but significant number of neurons in the embryonic mouse brain do not migrate to the correct positions in the cerebral cortex if ultrasound is used often and for prolonged periods.

Neurons must move to a position that determines their connectivity and function after they form. Improper migration can lead to abnormal cortical function.

More than 300 fetal mice were injected with special markers to track their neural development.

Ultrasound exposure caused a number of neurons to remain scattered in inappropriate cortical layers. The dispersion of the neurons increased as the duration of exposure to ultrasound waves increased.

Further research will be done on primates in order to help determine whether or not this will also be a problem for human fetuses.

Motheraid.com comment: The information in this article is being relayed as a warning against repeated or unnecessary use of ultrasound without a vaild medical reason. Ultrasound is a very valuable tool to help monitor the health and progress of an unborn child but should be used cautiously with this information in mind.

USA Today August 7, 2006

ABC News August 8, 2006

EurekAlert August 7, 2006