ultrasounds and autism

[scarednoob]

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!

there seems to be quite a lot of stuff about whether ultrasound exposes the baby to heat etc,

If baby was getting hot, so would you.

I had far fewer scans with my Autistic son than my NT son. Only two scans with my under investigation for ASD DD.

Not scientific but not one I've heard of amoungst other mums of Autistic parents as a possibility. Lots of these things do get discussed at carers groups but this isn't one that i've picked up on.

As for babies moving during a scan, DS1 in particular had a tendency to dance all over the place if I touched my belly. Even a plate of sandwiches would get kicked on the floor. No heat there.

And it's not like we're cautioned against hot drinks or dinners, while pregnant.

We are cautioned against hot baths though.

Xray machines in show shops LaVolcan? Did we used to have them then?

Just having a quick look round. The study I read about about was by a Dr Rakic, and it was mice.
That was nearly 10 years ago and I can't see a lot else.
You'd think someone would be looking into it more.

Sister - yes the shoe shops used to make a big thing of the xray foot measuring machines. I think it was 50s or 60s though. Hot baths (very hot baths) raise the overall body temperature which isn't a great idea but that's like comparing sitting in a full body xray to a short local burst which is done in pregnancy when necessary.

Articles like this are scaremongering. If there was a true link do you not think scientists all over the world would be going mad trying to be the ones that proved the link? Not ignoring a ten year old study. As usual it's one or two lone scientists (usually from some obscure university) trying to make their name

Absolute rot :)

Just don't listen to these Facebook things. There's a whole fear monger ing industry out there preying on the worries parents have.

I won't rant on about the woeful level of scientific literacy in the press... Even the broadsheets are crap at science reporting!

Actually I will rant on. One day a reporter from a tabloid tv show came to our lab. He wanted to record "scientific noises." Now this confused us, as none of the kit made noises. After fruitlessly wandering around for a bit, something went "ping!" And his piggy little eyes lit up. That one! He said.. "Is that one of your DNA machines?"

No, I replied. That's the microwave in the break room.... ;)

We still don't know the root causes of autism, but it's likely to be a range of both genetic and environmental factors. It's probably also like cancer - not one specific disease but a multitude of things causing a similar endpoint (much like how so many things can cause a fever.)

Doctors always, always err on the side of caution because they do not (well, should not) be promoting anything unless there is a solid evidence base it's beneficial.

The benefits of ultrasound are clear. I suggest posting a link to the "bad science" website in return.

I has about 14 ultra sounds with DS. DS does have ASD but no one has linked the two together - his dad most probably has ASD so I think that's the biggest influence!

It's bollocks, when my mum was pregnant with me ultra sound was new, she was at hospital that was pioneering them and had loads of scans, I dint have autism.

With the madthings I had three for ds1, three for ds3, three for Ds4, three for dd. With ds2 I only had two, he has asc, the others don't.

This article says it well. Most tellingly: 'The author of the article has written a book in part about her assertion that ultrasounds are to blame for what she calls “an astronomic rise in neurological disorders among America’s children.”'

And there you have it - profiteering off anxious parents and mothers-to-be. Classy!

Lewaney3 don't pay attention to this the need for your scans far out way any possible links to anything.

Please don't pay any attention to this. The reason for two scans on nhs is down to only and purely financial reasons.

In my country of origin where healthcare is largely private, all pregnancies in cities are gynaecologist led, midwifery doesn't exist at all, and pregnant women are offered scans each month right uptill the end of pregnancy. Far from teaming with children whose health has somehow been compromised, the country sends gigantic numbers of healthy doctors, professors, lawyers and engineers to the west every year to work. Don't worry.

Autism is much more likely to be genetic. More or less everyone has at least 2 ultrasounds, so if they caused ill effects then we'd all have problems.

really fascinating to read, thank you so much everyone. i also feel very reassured that whatever happens, i won't have caused it! i think the suggestion that these writers are profiting from anxious parents, or those who are looking for an explanation, is probably bang on.