Ultrasound Hasn’t Been Proven Safe

* The story “Baby’s First Screen Test” (Valley Life, March 11) misled the public about the perceived safety of ultrasound radiation exposure to fetus and mother.

Although ultrasound is used frequently during pregnancy to assess a complication, there are many unanswered safety questions regarding routine exposure of the fetus to these high-energy sound waves.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the International Childbirth Education Assn. and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have stated that it is advisable to use ultrasound only when medically indicated and not as a routine procedure during pregnancy.

Your story quoted one private physician, Fred Schaeffner, regarding the issue of safety. It seems irresponsible to have researched the risks no further.

Using ultrasound strictly for the pleasure of parents viewing their unborn baby is a new use of this technology. It is premature to say ultrasound is not risky. Research is being carried out to determine the short-term and long-term effects of fetal exposure to ultrasound waves.

While scanning to assess a potential complication of pregnancy may possibly outweigh the potential risks of ultrasound, I believe we have a lot to learn about this form of radiation exposure before we can casually use it to make videos of our children.

SUE RIO

Saugus