Safety aspects of perinatal ultrasound

Ultrasound safety is of particular importance in fetal and neonatal scanning. The tissues are vulnerable and often still developing, the scanning depth may be low and potential biological effects are insufficiently investigated. On the other hand, the clinical benefit may be considerable, the perinatal period is probebly less vulnerable that the first and second trimesters of pregnancy, and ultrasound is often a safer alternative than other diagnostic imaging modalities. Here we present step-by-step procedures for obtaining clinically relevant images while maintaining ultrasound safety. We briefly discuss the current status of the field of ultrasound safety, with special attention to the safety of novel modalities, safety considerations when ultrasound is employed for research and education, and ultrasound of particularly vulnerable tissues, such as the fetal lung.