Jury is still out on safety of 4-D ultrasounds

Bring your popcorn and a Coke. Relax and "see your unborn baby in live 4-D motion on a 100-inch screen. Our ultrasound theater can seat 10 family members." A Tampa, Fla., imaging center, Storksview Ultrasound, runs this ad online.

JENNIFER PODIS / COX NEWS SERVICE Ultrasound machines convert sound waves into images.

That's the kind of hype that's probably a bit more than most prospective parents need to entice them to see - and buy - amazing photos and videos of their baby, before birth.

"When they come to determine a gender, they bring the grandmother, father, the whole family; it's a very joyful experience for the sonographer and for the mothers. The energy is very happy," says Lorraine Salt, owner of the Look Who's Kickin' Ultrasounds imaging center in Delray Beach, Fla.

What's unique about these centers is that they use sophisticated, 4-D ultrasound equipment that can show the fetus moving around. A 3-D ultrasound takes thousands of images at once that are stored and shaded to make a 3-D image. A 4-D image adds movement.

Ultrasound machines use sound waves, not radiation, that bounce back from the organ or fetus that is being scanned. Those waves are converted into images.

Not everyone is a fan of the imaging. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says the videos may be subjecting a fetus to unnecessary procedures when the ultrasound is performed for a reason other than medical or diagnostic testing.

"Not much is known about the effects of repeated exposure to ultrasound," ACOG posts on its Web site, www.acog.org. "It seems to be safe, but it is possible that problems could be found in the future."

The Institute of Ultrasound Medicine seemed particularly concerned in 2005 when actor Tom Cruise purchased an ultrasound machine so he and his fiancée, Katie Holmes, could do their own sonograms.

"Purchase of an ultrasound machine for private, at-home use entails inappropriate operation of a prescription medical device designed for diagnostic use by a trained medical professional," the group said in a statement issued at the time.

Salt, however, feels strongly that the imaging is safe for the fetus.

"There are no proven biological ill effects. ... 4-Ds have been on the market five years with no proven detrimental effects. [The imaging] helps the mother bond with her child. The face, heartbeat - it creates a very strong sense of bonding with the baby."

Another concern of 4-D ultrasounds is that some imaging centers may not have trained technicians who can interpret the images correctly.

"I use the lowest reasonable settings on the machine to achieve the best result," says Salt, who is a licensed sonographer. "Not to say anything against anybody else, but anybody who is operating an ultrasound should be a registered technician."

She and other members of the Look Who's Kickin' franchise insist that the mothers on whom they perform ultrasounds be under the care of an obstetrician and already have had diagnostic imaging before they come in.

Because she has been trained to interpret ultrasounds, Salt knows that it's possible she will see something a mom would be shocked to know. One mother who came in for a keepsake ultrasound already knew from prior diagnostic testing that her child had a clubfoot, so it was a non-issue for Salt.

Beyond diagnostic use, when doctors use these expensive 3-D or 4-D machines as part of a medical practice, they can be used for keepsake videos. Dr. John Burigo of Ob/Gyn Specialists of the Palm Beaches says his practice has equipment that allows 3-D ultrasound in all his office locations, but he stresses that the first priority for the use of the machines should be medical.

"Some patients may request an opportunity to see their baby's facial profile. This is not encouraged since there is no medical necessity. ... Although ultrasound has been performed for many years, and there is no evidence that it is harmful, we recommend that it be used for the medical purposes it was designed for."

But when push comes to shove, Burigo's patients can get the photo album and video variety of pre-birth photos.

"When it is done, patients are provided with still pictures, a DVD and video clip, in most instances. We do strive to be as accommodating to our patients as possible. We are not in the business of fetal photography. The cost is $250 plus tax," Burigo said.

Insurance, by the way, doesn't cover this elective procedure.