Effect of ultrasound on development. Part 1: Introduction and studies in inframammalian species. Report of the bioeffects committee of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine.

This report reviews and establishes patterns from the literature on experimental ultrasound exposures of inframammalian embryos and prenatal laboratory mammals. Exposure to ultrasound can produce adverse affects on development, and the sensitivity and responses of the test systems vary with the stage of development. Generally, however, deleterious effects are demonstrable only with exposure parameters that far exceed those used in clinical practice, and the few reports of mammalian embryotoxicity under clinically relevant exposure conditions have not been repeatable. Although it may be impossible to unequivocally establish absolute safety, there is a need for further studies to evaluate subtle and delayed indicators of developmental effects, potential mechanisms, and to attempt to estimate threshold exposure conditions.