DIAGNOSTIC ULTRASOUND IN PREGNANCY AND LOW-BIRTH-WEIGHT

Diagnostic ultrasound has been used increasingly in obstetric practice over the past decade. To date, adverse effects of ultrasound on the f etus have not been reported, but studies have been done on small sampl e sizes. This study looks specifically at the association of ultrasoun d exposure during pregnancy and the risk of low birthweight in the off spring. A validation case-control study was also performed based on in formation from a sample of medical charts. With a database of more tha n 13,000 pregnancies, there was no indication of an adverse effect of ultrasound performed during the first two trimesters of pregnancy.