Ultrasound in first trimester of pregnancy linked to autism – study

‘Having that first ultrasound can be an exciting experience for parents, but it comes with a serious risk, according to a new study: ultrasound exposure in the first trimester is linked to increased severity of autism in children born with the disorder.
The study – published in the journal Autism Research and conducted by professionals from the University of Washington’s (UW) Medicine school, UW Bothell, and the Seattle Children’s Research Institute – examined the variability of symptoms among children with autism.
“There has been a real struggle in why there are so many kids with autism,” lead author Sara Webb, a UW Medicine researcher in psychiatry and behavioral sciences, said in a statement.’
Read more: Ultrasound in first trimester of pregnancy linked to autism – study