EFSUMB: safety tutorial: epidemiology of diagnostic ultrasound exposure during pregnancy-European committee for medical ultrasound safety (ECMUS)

Abstract

The present paper summarizes some of the epidemiological studies of in utero ultrasound exposure and subsequent childhood development. Emphasis is placed on birth weight, childhood malignancies, neurological development, handedness and speech development. The epidemiological evidence does not indicate any association between diagnostic ultrasound exposure during pregnancy and reduced birth weight, childhood malignancies or neurological development. However, a statistically significant association between ultrasound and left-handedness among males has been found in three studies. Thus, there is still need for more research.