Is ultrasound in pregnancy perhaps dangerous after all? A never-ending discussion for over 40 years!

Based on the original underestimation of the damaging effects of X-ray beams, many physicians were initially skeptical of ultrasound. Because of such concerns, the question as to whether and to what extent high-frequency ultrasonic oscillations can be considered truly free of side effects began being intensively examined as early as the 1970 s.

Publication History

Article published online:
05 October 2020

• References

• 1 Kollmann C, Jenderka KV, Moran CM. et al. EFSUMB Clinical Safety Statement for Diagnostic Ultrasound – (2019 revision). Ultraschall in der Medizin (Stuttgart, Germany: 1980) 2019; DOI: 10.1055/a-1010-6018.
• 2 Safety Group of the British Medical Ultrasound Society. Guidelines for the safe use of diagnostic ultrasound equipment. https://www.bmus.org/static/uploads/resources/BMUS-Safety-Guidelines-2009-revision-FINAL-Nov-2009.pdf
• 3 AIUM-ACR-ACOG-SMFM-SRU Practice Parameter for the Performance of Standard Diagnostic Obstetric Ultrasound Examinations. J Ultrasound Med 2018; 37: E13-E24 https://www.aium.org/resources/guidelines/obstetric.pdf
• 4 Bly S, Van den Hof MC. Diagnostic Imaging Committee, Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada. Obstetric ultrasound biological effects and safety. J Obstet Gynaecol Can 2005; 27: 572-580
• 5 Salvesen K, Lees C, Abramowicz J. et al. Board of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology (ISUOG). ISUOG statement on the safe use of Doppler in the 11 to 13 +6-week fetal ultrasound examination. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2011; 37: 628
• 6 Rott HD. Ultraschalldiagnostik: Neuere Bewertung der biologischen Sicherheit. Dt Ärztebl 1996; 93: A-1533–1537 (Heft 23)
• 7 Merz E, Pashaj S. Advantages of 3D ultrasound in the assessment of fetal abnormalities. J Perinat Med 2017; 45: 643-650
• 8 Bundesgesetzblatt Jahrgang 2018 Teil I Nr. 41, ausgegeben zu Bonn am 5. Dezember 2018.
• 9 Merz E. 3D/4D-Ultrasound in Obstetrics – Baby TV without Diagnostics?. Ultraschall in Med 2008; 29: 156-158
• 10 Abramowicz JS. Nonmedical use of ultrasound: bioeffects and safety risk. Ultrasound Med Biol 2010; 36: 1213-1220
• 11 Bioeffects and Safety Committee, Salvesen K, Lees C et al. Board of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology (ISUOG). ISUOG-WFUMB statement on the non-medical use of ultrasound, 2011. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2011; 38: 608
• 12 Referentenentwurf des Bundesministeriums für Umwelt, Naturschutz und nukleare Sicherheit. Entwurf einer Verordnung zur weiteren Modernisierung des Strahlenschutzrechts. 2018: S. 439 https://www.bmu.de/gesetz/referentenentwurf-einer-verordnung-zur-weiteren-modernisierung-des-strahlenschutzrechts/
• 13 Heling KS, Kozlowski P. Safety aspects of ultrasound in prenatal diagnosis. Ultraschall in Med 2020; 41: 116-119