OBSTETRIC RADIODIAGNOSIS AND EMBRYONIC-FETAL RISK
The possible hazands to the fetus and embryo of diagnostic radiologic procedures during pregnancy are reviewed. In addition, 190 cases of congenital maiformations, observed at the authors' cliric between 1950 and l980, were examined in attempts to detect the possible etiologic role of prenatal irradiation in their development. The median age of the mothers was between 28 and 30 yr. Only 23% of the mothers reported having undergone radiodiagnostic tests during pregnancy. Among this group there were 8 infants with deformed feet, 5 with hydrocephalus, 4 with ancephalus, 3 with spina bifida, 3 with hare lip, 3 with penile hypospadias, 2 with umbilical hernia, 2 with cleft palate, and 1 each of aplasia of the cranial vault, myelomeningocele, polydactylism, syndactylism, congenital cardiopathy, and imperforate anus. An analysis of the time of irradiation during gestation in relation to the period of fetal development of the structures involved did not implicate radiation in formation of these anomalies, since all of the irradiated mothers received this treatment between the 4th and 9th months of gestation. Consanguinity, syphilis, and Rh incompatibility were present in many of these cases and may have accounted for some of these deformities. It is concluded that diagnostic radiology carried out after the 1st 3 months of pregnancy according to standard procedures are not harmful to the fetus or the mother. (H.H.D.)
- Research Organization:
- Ospedale Maggiore, Bergamo, Italy
- NSA Number:
- NSA-17-035523
- OSTI ID:
- 4645470
- Journal Information:
- Minerva Ginecologica (Italy), Journal Name: Minerva Ginecologica (Italy) Vol. Vol: 13; ISSN MIGIA
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
EMBRYOPATHY DUE TO IONIZING RADIATIONS
HAZARDS OF RADIATION INJURY IN RELATION TO RULES FOR MEDICAL INDICATIONS FOR INTERRUPTION OF PREGNANCY