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Do Prenatal Ultrasounds Cause Autism?

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Posted on Mon, 5 May 2014
Question: Hello doctor, I have a question about ultrasounds. I've had a lot of them, maybe 8, because of a suspected ectopic pregnancy and then for the NT scan and then one at each of my appointments. A friend sent me an article she found on the Internet that said that ultrasounds could cause autism. After that, I found several saying that it could cause it, but I also found several saying that ultrasounds had nothing to do with an increased autism risk. Should I be worried, should I tell my doctor not to do anymore ultrasounds at my appointments? Thank you.
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Answered by Dr. Vaishalee Punj (10 hours later)
Brief Answer: Ultrasounds are harmless Detailed Answer: Hi Thanks for posting your query on HealthcareMagic. Though there have been speculations that autism is linked to prenatal ultrasounds. Central nervous system alterations have been described in autistic spectrum disorders, and certain similar changes have been described in animals after exposure to ultrasound. However, analysis in humans has failed to show harmful effects in neonates or children, particularly in school performance, attention disorders, and behavioral changes. You should not be worried about its correlation with autism. In low risk pregnancy, three scans are done - at 13 weeks (for excluding Down's syn), at 20 weeks (to check if your baby is developing normally) and at 28 - 30 weeks (to check for growth of baby and the organs). These scans are needed. Extra scans are done only if some condition is suspected. Whether you should continue with every visit scan or not - this question is better answered once the reason for repeat scan is known. Hope it helps. Dr Vaishalee
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Dr. Vaishalee Punj

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 3262 Questions

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Do Prenatal Ultrasounds Cause Autism?

Brief Answer: Ultrasounds are harmless Detailed Answer: Hi Thanks for posting your query on HealthcareMagic. Though there have been speculations that autism is linked to prenatal ultrasounds. Central nervous system alterations have been described in autistic spectrum disorders, and certain similar changes have been described in animals after exposure to ultrasound. However, analysis in humans has failed to show harmful effects in neonates or children, particularly in school performance, attention disorders, and behavioral changes. You should not be worried about its correlation with autism. In low risk pregnancy, three scans are done - at 13 weeks (for excluding Down's syn), at 20 weeks (to check if your baby is developing normally) and at 28 - 30 weeks (to check for growth of baby and the organs). These scans are needed. Extra scans are done only if some condition is suspected. Whether you should continue with every visit scan or not - this question is better answered once the reason for repeat scan is known. Hope it helps. Dr Vaishalee