How can an mri affect pregnancy

Only women had gadolinium contrast MRIs during pregnancy, compared to more than 1. Connective tissue or infiltrating skin conditions like nephrogenic systemic fibrosis were about 36 percent more common in babies born to the gadolinium group than the no-MRI group, according to the results in JAMA.

More broadly, rheumatological and inflammatory conditions were similarly increased by about 45 cases per 1, children per year. There were seven stillbirths or newborn deaths in the gadolinium group compared to 9, in the no-MRI group, so while still rare, these outcomes were twice as common in the gadolinium group, the authors note. An adult body processes and clears gadolinium contrast materials through the urine, but a fetus exposed via the placenta will continually urinate and ingest the same material in the amniotic fluid until birth, Ray said.

Magnetic resonance imaging, known as MRI, is a medical procedure used to create very clear pictures of the inside of your body to diagnose certain diseases or conditions. Instead, it uses a magnetic field and radio waves. A typical MRI scan lasts from 20 to 90 minutes, depending on the part of the body being imaged. It is a painless procedure that is not expected to cause any tissue damage.

An MRI may be prescribed for a pregnant woman for her or for a developing baby. Could it have harmed my baby? This is called her background risk. One study that looked at more than 1, pregnant women who were exposed to MRI during the first trimester did not find an increased chance of birth defects. Heat produced by the scanner may be able to reach the patient during an MRI especially if it is a long procedure.

However, heat is thought to be the strongest when it first hits the skin and becomes less strong as it approaches the center of the body where the baby is located. The MRI machine makes loud acoustic sounds and there has been interest in knowing if the MRI could affect fetal hearing. No cases of hearing damage have been seen in several small human studies looking at exposure to MRI during pregnancy. If you are pregnant or think that you could be pregnant, you should notify your healthcare provider and the radiologist or MRI technologist before having a MRI done.

I was told there will be contrast used for my MRI. What is a contrast medium? Some MRI procedures use contrast media. Please type your comment or suggestion into the text box below. Note: we are unable to answer specific questions or offer individual medical advice or opinions. Please contact your physician with specific medical questions or for a referral to a radiologist or other physician.

To locate a medical imaging or radiation oncology provider in your community, you can search the ACR-accredited facilities database. This website does not provide cost information.

The costs for specific medical imaging tests, treatments and procedures may vary by geographic region. Web page review process: This Web page is reviewed regularly by a physician with expertise in the medical area presented and is further reviewed by committees from the Radiological Society of North America RSNA and the American College of Radiology ACR , comprising physicians with expertise in several radiologic areas.

Outside links: For the convenience of our users, RadiologyInfo. Toggle navigation. Magnetic resonance imaging MRI If you become ill during pregnancy, both you and your unborn child become patients. Why do you need an MRI? Alternatives to MRI Ultrasound is the most commonly used imaging exam during pregnancy. Contrast material For some MRI exams, a contrast material called gadolinium will need to be injected into a vein in the arm. MRI during pregnancy An illness is not pleasant, and a significant illness during pregnancy can be especially serious.