©Pregnancy bliss 2008
Safety of 3D/4D baby scans
That brings us neatly to where we started. Is it safe?
A 4D scan is as safe as the conventional 2D scan. Ultrasound scans, unlike X-rays
or CT scan, do not employ any form of radiation.
The only theoretical risk is that
of raised temperature. It is a well known scientific fact that the sound waves do
cause a rise of temperature in the tissues where they pass through. The rise in temperature
is dependent on acoustic power and scan duration. All modern scanners display what
is known as a Thermal Index (TI). The index tells the operator about any change in
tissue temperature. It is displayed continuously on the screen and therefore the
operator stays within the accepted safe Thermal Index range.
There is solid evidence
that, during a scan examination, elevation of temperature by 1.5°C above normal (37°C)
is perfectly safe. In practice, this is rarely reached. It is also true that, in
theory, the tissue temperature needs to rise to about 41°C to have the potential
of causing harm. It is virtually impossible to reach this temperature in regular
pregnancy ultrasound scanning.
In summary, apart from this visual evidence, it is
known that the acoustic outputs produced by regular B-mode ultrasound are NOT high
enough to produce harmful effects. The same is true of 3D/4D ultrasound.
A mother
going for a 3D/4D ultrasound baby scan can look forward to a memorable and fulfilling
experience at ease in the secure knowledge that she will not be causing harm to her
baby.
The only theoretical risk is that of raised temperature. It is a well known scientific fact that the sound waves do cause a rise of temperature in the tissues where they pass through. The rise in temperature is dependent on acoustic power and scan duration. All modern scanners display what is known as a Thermal Index (TI). The index tells the operator about any change in tissue temperature. It is displayed continuously on the screen and therefore the operator stays within the accepted safe Thermal Index range.
There is solid evidence that, during a scan examination, elevation of temperature by 1.5°C above normal (37°C) is perfectly safe. In practice, this is rarely reached. It is also true that, in theory, the tissue temperature needs to rise to about 41°C to have the potential of causing harm. It is virtually impossible to reach this temperature in regular pregnancy ultrasound scanning.
In summary, apart from this visual evidence, it is known that the acoustic outputs produced by regular B-
A mother going for a 3D/4D ultrasound baby scan can look forward to a memorable and fulfilling experience at ease in the secure knowledge that she will not be causing harm to her baby.