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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

ultrasounds and autism

40 replies

scarednoob · 08/04/2015 13:43

hello ladies

someone on facebook recently posted an article that links ultrasounds to autism. there was a stat in the article that said they recommend no more than 2 ultrasounds per pregnancy. having had 3 already, and with another one at my 20 week scan in a few weeks' time, i am feeling a bit concerned about this.

it's something about which i am very ignorant and know absolutely nothing, and it had never occurred to me before, but of course those articles are worded to be quite convincing! has anyone else come across this, and do you think it's rubbish, or should we be thinking about how to limit ultrasound exposure if possible?

thanks all!

OP posts:
LittleBearPad · 08/04/2015 13:44

It's utter crap so don't worry.

Patatas · 08/04/2015 13:47

I think its rubbish, don't worry. Scans are always done for a reason, they wouldn't give them to you otherwise.

My mum had one a week with me and my 2 sisters and I had 5 scans with ds. I believe in my mum's day they worried that lots of scans reduced growth, but we were all fine on that score too.

AuntieStella · 08/04/2015 13:48

Can you link the article that was sent to you?

If you need 3 or more scans, it means there is something the doctors believe needs to be looked at. Whether pg of not, it's always good to ask doctors about why a particular procedure (no matter his low risk) is the right thing for you.

The benefits of scanning (v not scanning at all) are overwhelming. When there is something that requires monitoring, then I'd take the scans every time. But if you're less sure, ask your HCPs about your specific circumstances and risks.

6LittleOnes · 08/04/2015 13:50

I have had 2 pregnancies with 3 scans the rest of them I had 2 scans. One of my dcs is being tested for autism, she was one of the 2 scan pregnancies so I don't think there is a link

Steppeoneggs · 08/04/2015 13:50

there is no evidence for it at all.

Most medics would say don't have any unnecessary anything as a general rule, but if ultrasounds are needed, there doesn't seem to be a limit on what is considered OK, as they are considered to be safe.

With dd2 I had loads, at least on per week from 20 weeks onwards (they thought she had a heart defect that they monitored). She is fine. there was never any query about the number of ultrasounds.

hedgehogsdontbite · 08/04/2015 13:51

Absolute, complete and utter twaddle so don't let it worry you. There was just as much autism around when there were no ultra sounds.

coppertop · 08/04/2015 13:58

It sounds like rubbish to me.

In my case the two children without autism had more scans than the two children with autism.

Our family history was a far better indicator of autism than the number of scans during pregnancy.

geekymommy · 08/04/2015 14:04

Even if there is a link between ultrasounds and autism, there are a few plausible explanations other than "ultrasounds cause autism". Perhaps difficult pregnancies and autism are linked, and women with difficult pregnancies have more ultrasounds. Perhaps some anomaly that can be seen on ultrasound is linked to autism, and doctors do more ultrasound scans on babies with anomalies. Maybe twins are more likely to have autism than non-twins, and more ultrasounds are done in twin pregnancies than in single pregnancies. If you were going to do a proper scientific study on whether ultrasound causes autism, you'd have to control for these effects.

Are ultrasounds for keepsake pictures or videos a thing that people do where you are? If you're worried, you might want to avoid those, since they have no medical purpose. I wouldn't avoid ultrasounds that have a real medical purpose without more evidence that they are harmful.

Dumpylump · 08/04/2015 14:05

Complete poppycock. Don't let it trouble you for a nanosecond longer.

Zahrah5 · 08/04/2015 14:05

just because there is no evidence for it yet, doesnt mean that there will not be in the future and it should be just dismissed as crap.

On the other side, scans are beneficial, but have seen many articles pointing against excessive scanning, but meaning extreme scanning, when people purchased scan machines and used them at home daily etc.

In every case you dont need to worry about having 3 scans.

BrieAndChilli · 08/04/2015 14:15

I had lots of scans with DD due to low lying placenta plus she was breech for some of the pregnancy plus I had severe anemia and needed an iron drip.
She is the most 'normal' of my 3 children despite me reading low iron causes aspergers etc
Ds1 who I was the most healthy for, only 2 scans etc has aspergers, hyper mobility etc.
it's like the recent study that says breast fed babies are more intelligent - what it doesn't tell you is its more breastfeeding mothers are more likely I be middle class and degree educated, good income etc so those babies who are breastfed have the benefits of good intelligence genes to start with play all the advantages money brings - extra curricular activities, tutors, healthy food, experiences etc etc

Original poster
scarednoob · 08/04/2015 14:30

thanks everyone, that's really helpful.

the original article was this: www.thedailybeast.com/witw/articles/2013/04/29/are-ultrasounds-causing-autism-in-unborn-babies.html#

by itself i wouldn't take the daily beast that seriously, but then i made the mistake of googling it, and there seems to be quite a lot of stuff about whether ultrasound exposes the baby to heat etc, which was what made me wonder.

my scans were an 8 week one because i'm 37, then an emergency one a few days later due to spotting, then 12 weeks, then the 20 week one in a few weeks' time. so none of the more cosmetic ones. i do agree with some of the articles which say that having non-medically trained people doing it in malls for 3D/4D pictures is not a good idea, but i don't think i've ever seen that over here. maybe it's more in the states?

OP posts:
Zahrah5 · 08/04/2015 14:42

I have not seem anywhere in US ultrasounds scans being done at the mall.

I have seen that my local Mothercare offers 3D/4D scans inside their store, not sure whether these are done by sonographers or whoever. In US probably similar, some big baby stores would offer it.

Jackieharris · 08/04/2015 14:44

A theory has sprung up because the timing of the rise of diagnoses of autism and the widespread use of ultrasound in pregnancy has been simultaneous.

I think it's fair enough to explore this possibility since no one actually know why asd has increased so much recently.

Ultrasounds have only been routinely given for 30 years so really none of us know if there will be long term effects.

This is why the NHS doesn't give many. (My health board used to only give 1)

hedgehogsdontbite · 08/04/2015 15:05

Autism diagnosis has increased, autism prevelance is pretty much the same as it's always been. Take my family, 5 autism diagnosis in the last 10 years, none prior to that. That's a shocking increase. Except if each person had been diagnosed at the age kids are today it would have been 1 in the last 10 years, 2 from 20 years ago, and 2 from 40 years ago. I'd also bet my house on my mum (60 years ago) and my nan (80 years ago) being on the spectrum. We're just better at spotting it now.

Jackieharris · 08/04/2015 15:07

Yes I do believe that a big part of the jump in diagnoses is increased awareness rather than prevalence but I do think this whole field still needs a lot more research.

MrsAnxiety1 · 08/04/2015 15:19

I don't know about autism. I'm not sure all autism can be related to ultrasounds as there have been people with autism way before ultrasounds were used...

I'd definitely heard about the neuronal changes in mice but because there is little other research on it yet, it's hard to say whether this is caused by early scans or later ones (when the brain is developing in size etc) and what number is a good number (or not) of scans to have. Yes autism is more prevalent in countries which push ultrasounds, but these countries also have high rates of obesity, poor diets, abnormal vitamin levels... It could be any one of these things or a combination, surely?

geekymommy · 08/04/2015 15:40

I don't go to malls much any more, but I have seen an ultrasound truck in my neighborhood. I have not gone up to it, so I don't know if they actually do ultrasounds in the truck. If you Google 4D ultrasound, you will find lots of places that offer to do elective ultrasounds.

Lewaney3 · 08/04/2015 16:40

Watching this thread with great interest... First time mom to be with MCDA twins...I've been having fortnightly scans since 12 weeks. Confused currently at 24 weeks about to go for 7th ultrasound next week.

MissTwister · 08/04/2015 21:25

No article that describes a scientist's voice as 'thick with regret' gets my vote!

Debs75 · 08/04/2015 21:32

My DS has autism and I could list about a hundred things which 'caused' his autism, at least 50 of them don't apply to him.

Yes there has been a rise in the amount of autistic children being diagnosed but autism is possibly centries old and many of the 'causes' were not around. Unfortunately it appears to be an almost random thing which strikes, yes there are some families where it appears more frequently but having a mum, dad, sister, cousin on the spectrum does not mean you definitely will be.

Oh and DS had 2 scans, his youngest DSIS had 5 and is NT

LaVolcan · 08/04/2015 22:10

Consider the story with x-rays: it took some time for them to realise that they could be harmful. Now, although there is still a place for them, we no longer have routine chest x-rays, or x-ray machines in shoe shops. Ultrasound could be the same - the more subtle effects may take time to show.

SisterMoonshine · 08/04/2015 22:24

I do remember reading about issues re ultrasounds, but it was quite a long time ago.
It was something to so with lab rats having neurological problems (relates to ASD, ADHD etc) from ultrasounds.
I think they were also querying that babies do sometimes seem to move a lot during a scan, maybe as if to get away from the... what? vibrations/heat?
I think no one really knows yet.

But it's weighing up the risk.
Ultrasounds are an amzing way to monitor and spot potential problems.
I had to have extra because of placenta praevia.
I wouldn't go having them for entertainment though (those 4D ones etc).

ouryve · 08/04/2015 22:29

The rule of thumb is, if the Daily Maul have suggested it causes cancer, then someone, somewhere has also suggested it causes autism.

If you've already had 3 ultrasound scans, then it's probably for good reason (unless you keep having them done privately so you can work out whether or not baby looks a bit like uncle Bertie). You and your baby's immediate health need to be the most important thing for you, rather than some remote (and unproven) possibility of something happening in the long term.

GiddyOnZackHunt · 08/04/2015 22:30

The reason they do so few scans is purely down to money.

Like a pp my 2 scan DC has been referred for ASD. My other DC who had into double figures isn't.