A Calibration Study of Therapeutic Ultrasound Units Key point: More than one-third of the therapeutic ultrasound machines tested were operating outside of limits. (Prenatal viewing is with diagnostic, not therapeutic, ultrasound machines)
Thermal Effects Key point: Research shows significant temperature changes in post-natal human tissue with only seconds of exposure to diagnostic ultrasound.
Evidence
Documents Pertinent to the Topic (most recent posts at bottom)
Key point: Ultrasound experts agree that long-term effects are not known.
Key point: Acoustic threshold that could damage a fetus has not been established.
Key point: Studies are all based on pre-1992 machines when the limits were lower.
Key point: Intensity limits were increased in 1992 with little or no subsequent research.
Key point: We do not know that modern ultrasound devices are safe.
Key point: The limit for examining the eye is 12% of what is allowed for the eye of a fetus.
Key Point: Fetus is more at risk from thermal than from non-thermal effects.
Key point: Ultrasound exposure caused brain abnormalities in embryonic mice.
Key point: Differences attributed to multiple late-term ultrasounds disappeared by age 8.
Key point: No association found with malignancies, possible association with left-handedness.
Key point: No clear associations between prenatal ultrasound exposure and psychoses.
Key point: Study of 755 children with and without ASD shows possible 2nd trimester link.
Key point: Evidence of the need for improved education on obstetric ultrasound safety.
Key point: Reservations about the US and European standards for ultrasound exposure.
Key point: Concern about cavitation in fluids and other mechanical effects of ultrasound.
Key point: More than one-third of the therapeutic ultrasound machines tested were operating outside of limits. (Prenatal viewing is with diagnostic, not therapeutic, ultrasound machines)
Key point: There are ultrasound devices that are not being operated within FDA limits.
Key point: Need for research into shear stresses
Key point: Quality problems in the ultrasound resale market.
Key point: Some resell companies do not offer a valid warranty on ultrasounds.
Key point: Errors are possible. Hospitals and licensed technicians erred dramatically in CT scanning.
Key point: 2011 study concludes environment during gestation or shortly after is the biggest factor.
Key point: Research shows significant temperature changes in post-natal human tissue with only seconds of exposure to diagnostic ultrasound.
Key point: Generation of new bone and cartilage cells in healing fractures uses 1/3 the intensity of ultrasound allowed in fetal imaging.
Key point: Neurologist details potential effects of ultrasound on fetal brain development.
Key point: How the environment and genetics combine to give rise to autism.
Key point: Ultrasound shown to cause damage to live tissue at the cellular level.
Key point: Ultrasound output display can underestimate the cranial temperature increase.
Key point: Number of ultrasounds per pregnancy continues to increase.
Key point: Weak connectivity between brain hemispheres in children with autism.
Key point: FDA alert about non-medical ultrasound videos cites possible physical effects.
Key point: FDA warns consumers that non-medical use of doppler ultrasound heartbeat monitors risks harming the fetus.
Key point: Authors relate that limit not based on safety considerations.
Key point: Autism rate 5 times as high in low-birth-weight infants. Most neonatals receive postnatal head ultrasounds.
Key point: Memory and learning functions impaired in chicks exposed to Doppler.
Key point: Head enlargement, if any, usually develops after infancy.
Key point: Autistic males tested have many more neurons in the prefrontal cortex.
Key point: 40% of 676 hospital ultrasound transducers tested were malfunctioning.
Key point: 30% of calibrated ultrasound transducers failed within a year.
Key point: CDC rate of autism increase matches rate of ultrasound increase.
Key point: Children of obese mothers have a higher rate of autism.
Key point: Ultrasound probe could be the link in obesity and autism.
Key point: “New” Australian study based on low-intensity ultrasound of 1989 shows no connection to autism.
Key point: Increase in number of ultrasounds per pregnancy unwarranted.
Key point: Rise in fetal temperature doubles the rate of autism.
Key point: Review of studies shows lack of direct evidence.
Key point: Ultrasound expert warns of potential tragic effects of ultrasound.
Key point: Ultrasound-induced temperature increase is a probable cause of autism.
Key point: Absence of thermal effect translates to no measurable risk.
Key point: Prenatal exposure to ultrasound impaired brain function in mice.
Key point: Only 27% of ultrasound operators knew where TI/MI displays were on their device.
Key point: Prolonged fever during gestation tripled risk of ASD.
Key Point: Possible fetal damage from ultrasound within approved exposure range.
Key Point: Explanation of the nature of autistic brain cells leads to promising treatment.
Key Point: Transvaginal ultrasound damages embryos.
Key Point: Characteristic autistic brain defect formed during gestation.
Key Point: Neurodevelopmental disabilities increasing while physical disabilities decreasing.
Key Point: Ultrasound Affects Learning and Memory in Young Rats
Key Point: High Susceptibility of Early Fetal Brain to Detrimental Changes by Ultrasound
Key Point: Severity of autism symptoms correlates with 1st trimester scan.
Key Point: Thermal Effects Apparent Before 8-fold Intensity Increase
Key Point: Testosterone levels in rats raised significantly by exposure to ultrasound.
Key Point: Penetration depth of prenatal ultrasounds was greater for children with ASD.
Key Point: In 1977, FDA scientists called for more research on effects.
Key Point: Ultrasound waves cause shear stress and strain.