Safety of 3D Ultrasound
3D ultrasound uses the same technology as basic two dimensional ultrasound except that multiple angles are used, rendering a 3D image. A newer offshoot of the 3D ultrasound is the 4D variety, where the rendering occurs many times per second, giving a video effect.
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History
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Ultrasound has been used in the medical field since the late 1950s, according to the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM). The AIUM endorses ultrasound as safe based on no known negative outcomes having yet been discovered.
Types
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While 2D ultrasounds are used in a wide variety of medical situations to diagnose all types of conditions, 3D ultrasound has mostly been utilized in pregnancy in order to obtain a higher definition image of an unborn child as a keepsake for expectant parents.
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Warning
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While routine medical ultrasounds are necessary at times and deemed safe, repeated ultrasounds may not be. The AIUM, the US Food and Drug Administration, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend against pregnant women getting 3D ultrasounds.
Considerations
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One reason why these major health organizations have come out against 3D ultrasounds is that repeated ultrasounds are unnecessary and could possibly have health implications that are not yet known. Another reason for this stance is the assertion that operators at for-profit centers are often not well trained, medically, and not capable of handling or recognizing a potentially dangerous medical situation.
Benefits
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Those who endorse the use of 3D ultrasounds point to the fact that it is the FDA that sets the standards for scans, including 3D and 4D, and in extensive studies over 30 years no dangers have been found. Also, it's believed that parents who get the 3D ultrasound have a better bonding experience and may take better care of their and their baby's health because of the scan.
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