A recent report in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and reported on the AP Wire Service suggests that exposure to ultrasound can affect fetal brain development.  In a study of pregnant mice, a small number of nerve cells failed to extend correctly in the cerebral cortex after they were exposed to ultrasound. 

The paper said that while the effects of ultrasound in human brain development are not yet known, there are disorders thought to be the result of misplacement of brain cells during their development.  �These disorders range from mental retardation and childhood epilepsy to developmental dyslexia, autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia," the researchers said.

The alarming increase in prevalence of these disorders in the past twenty or so years is still unexplained, and many midwives have long suspected that it could be related to interventions during the fetal period.  The indiscriminate and unnecessary use of ultrasound has been frustrating to those of us who try to counsel women to avoid unnecessary interventions.  Although this research doesn�t �prove� anything about the causes of brain disorders, it does suggest a possible link.  Perhaps it can help to dissuade moms-to-be from tripping off to the mall for that �keepsake� scan, or demanding unnecessary scans from their midwife or physician. 

To read the AP report, go to http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060808/ap_on_he_me/ultrasound_brains&printer=1;_ylt=AoM4LLoqwihc3ZQ98agG8rla24cA;_ylu=X3oDMTA3MXN1bHE0BHNlYwN0bWE-  The National Academy of Sciences website is found at http://www.pnas.org/.  Access is by subscription.