Swedish ultrasound study casts unnecessary doubt on good science - AMA
AMA Vice-President and senior obstetrician, Dr Trevor Mudge, today urged pregnant women not to be put off having an ultrasound by a Swedish study that claims ultrasounds may cause minor brain damage in unborn babies.
"Ultrasounds have been carried out safely for 40 years," Dr Mudge said.
"In that time, no scientific study has shown evidence of tissue damage from ultrasound, and this study is no different.
"From what I've read of the Swedish study it appears flawed.
"A retrospective study comparing women who had ultrasounds in the 1970s with women in more recent times is misleading at the very least.
"Ultrasounds were used primarily in the 1970s for high risk pregnancies. Today, ultrasounds are routine for most pregnancies. The researchers are not comparing apples with apples.
"The only evidence the study puts forward to suggest evidence of brain damage is that unborn babies that may have been predisposed to be right-handed have developed as left-handed.
"If being left-handed means you are brain damaged - as the study suggests - I think a very large percentage of the world population will be questioning the research.
"Ultrasounds provide security and certainty for pregnant women and their families.
"Ultrasounds are good science.
"I look forward to seeing the final report of the Swedish study to see if it produces evidence of any genuine concerns with ultrasounds.
"Until then, I remain confident in the technology and urge Australian mothers-to-be to continue to seek an ultrasound as an important step in a comfortable and positive pregnancy," Dr Mudge said.
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