AIUM restates opposition to nonmedical ultrasound use

The American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) issued a statement today reaffirming its opposition to the use of "entertainment" ultrasound.

As the popularity of businesses that use ultrasound to provide nonmedical fetal keepsake videos and/or prenatal portraits to expectant parents continues to rise, the AIUM said that it stands behind its official statement on the prudent use of ultrasound, which states:

“The AIUM advocates the responsible use of diagnostic ultrasound. The AIUM strongly discourages the nonmedical use of ultrasound for psychosocial or entertainment purposes. The use of either 2-dimensional (2D) or 3-dimensional (3-D) ultrasound to only view the fetus, obtain a picture of the fetus or determine the fetal gender without a medical indication is inappropriate and contrary to responsible medical practice. Although there are no confirmed biological effects on patients caused by exposures from present diagnostic ultrasound instruments, the possibility exists that such biological effects may be identified in the future. Thus ultrasound should be used in a prudent manner to provide medical benefit to the patient.”

The Laurel, MD-based society said the Food and Drug Administration also supports the AIUM's official statement, and has warned that "persons who promote, sell, or lease ultrasound equipment for making keepsake fetal videos should know that the FDA views this as an unapproved use of a medical device.”

By AuntMinnie.com staff writers
April 7, 2004

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