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Risky business: applying risk/benefit analysis consistently in entertainment ultrasound
Author(s) -
De Crespigny L.,
Douglas T.,
Wilkinson D.,
Savulescu J.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.202
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1469-0705
pISSN - 0960-7692
DOI - 10.1002/uog.7481
Subject(s) - medicine , entertainment , ultrasound , entertainment industry , diagnostic ultrasound , gestational age , obstetrics , pregnancy , radiology , law , genetics , biology , political science
Fetal non-medical entertainment ultrasound (NEU) using three-dimensional (3D) and 4D fetal images is widely available. Couples are offered real-time scans, souvenir images, DVDs and sex determination. This is sometimes referred to as entertainment, boutique, shopping-mall, elective or fetal-keepsake imaging. It appears to be most prevalent in the USA where, in one study, 9% of pregnant women admitted having had non-medical scans1. There is controversy regarding the use of fetal ultrasound for entertainment; professional bodies strongly oppose it. The principal reason cited is the risk of harmful bioeffects. For example, when actor Tom Cruise purchased an ultrasound system with plans to personally scan his fiancee Katie Holmes, doctors warned that: ‘if it is not medically necessary, the use of ultrasound raises unnecessary physical risk to the fetus’2. The possibility that ultrasound could cause bioeffects in the fetus should be of immense concern to people in all countries. Virtually everyone under 25 years of age in western nations was exposed to ultrasound in utero, commonly during multiple scans. The impact of any bioeffects could be devastating. In this paper we argue that professional organizations’ concerns about bioeffects in NEU are hypocritical. We advocate a relook at our approach; the important factors to consider are gestational age and the power of ultrasound, not the indication for the scan nor where it is performed. Current arguments using the risk/benefit balance to oppose NEU fail.