Side Effects of a CAT Scan on an Unborn Child
In pregnancy, sometimes it is necessary to undergo medical procedures for the health of the mother. This can be nerve-wracking because of the potential effects on the baby, but if the benefits outweigh the risk, a doctor might find a medical procedure such as a CAT scan necessary.
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Function
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According to the American Pregnancy Association, a CAT scan is used to take images of parts of the body, including the brain and internal organs. It combines multiple X-ray images to produce a 3-D image of body parts (see Reference 1).
Risk
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CAT scans are generally considered a low-risk procedure, but most doctors advise against them during pregnancy.
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Effects
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Although a CAT scan will not usually cause damage to an embryo or fetus, they are not recommended during pregnancy because there is a possibility that radiation exposure to the fetus could cause developmental problems or childhood cancer (see Reference 2).
Amount
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A single CAT scan will not usually cause side effects in an unborn child, but multiple CAT scans increase the risk of effects because of the higher exposure to radiation.
Location
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The part of the body that is scanned is a factor in potential side effects on an unborn child. A CAT scan performed on the brain would be less likely to affect the fetus, but a scan in the abdominal area would be more likely to have an effect on the baby during pregnancy or after birth.
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