Resources for Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Greater Harm Than Good?

The use of diagnostic ultrasound in pregnancy is well established. Although the patterns of use vary from country to country and region to region, the regular use of ultrasound in pregnancy has become commonplace. Whether ultrasound should be a routine part of obstetric care is still controversial among several major professional organizations. With the advent of 3- and 4-dimensional sonography, new controversies regarding the nonmedical use of ultrasound are being raised. Although some suggest that there may be benefits to this new phenomenon of ultrasound for entertainment, speculation has taken place regarding benefits versus risks. We present a case that illustrates the potential harm that “keepsake ultrasound photographs” may cause.

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