Scans may 'cause brain changes'

Scientists in Sweden say they have found evidence ultrasound scans may cause brain changes in unborn babies after they found men whose mothers had tests were more likely to be left-handed.

They have concluded some male babies' central nervous systems might have been affected by the process, as a shift from right to lefthandedness is thought by some experts as indicate that some kind of damage has occurred.

However remote the risk, this was serious enough to merit concern.

Beverley Beech, chairwoman of the Association for the Improvements in Maternity Services, told the paper that women should be fully briefed on the risks of ultrasound and should avoid having scans unless they were essential.

BBC News Health