FDA Warns about Unknown Dangers to Babies from Keep-Sake Ultrasounds

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Orland Park Personal Injury Lawyer

One of the most popular items that many parents-to-be have jumped on purchasing are prenatal portraits, also called “keepsake ultrasounds.” Commercial keepsake ultrasound businesses have opened up across the country. These photos are different from the ultrasounds usually done during a medical exam because the images are in 3-D or 4-D format. One of the more popular ways to get a prenatal portrait done is by hosting or attending an ultrasound party.

These events are like many other “parties” one might have, just like makeup, cookware, or candle, complete with friends and snacks. Except the “demonstrator” here brings an ultrasound machine and most of the guests are pregnant. But just how safe are these keepsake ultrasounds and what harm could they be doing to unborn babies?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued a warning to expectant parents that these medically unnecessary ultrasounds may actually be dangerous. While a normal, doctor prescribed ultrasound typically takes 15 minutes to obtain the photos needed for medical diagnosis, keep-sake ultrasounds often run up to an hour in order for the technician to obtain good photos of the baby’s face. One of the main concerns, according to the FDA, is that there has been little to no studies done which have determined what the long-term effect of a sustained exposure to the ultrasound has on an unborn child.

Another potential serious problem these ultrasounds pose is that power from ultrasound can actually heat the baby’s tissues, which can cause bubbles to form. This is another area where no studies have been done to determine what, if any, long-term effects these bubbles can have.

Other organizations besides the FDA which have issued past public statements about the potential dangers of these ultrasounds include American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) and European Committee for Medical Ultrasound. The general consensus is that pregnant women should not, for any reason other than when medically prescribed by their obstetrician, expose their unborn child to any ultrasound procedure. Many states have banned keep-sake ultrasound businesses, passing laws which require that ultrasounds can only be performed under a doctor’s order and by licensed sonographers in medical settings only.

If you or a loved one has received serious injuries due to the negligent practices of a business, contact an experienced Orland Park personal injury attorney to find out what compensation you may be entitled to for pain and loss.