I found this on FreeKatie.net:
RESTON, Va., Nov. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Actors Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes
may be placing their unborn child at risk if they are performing fetal
ultrasound on Ms. Holmes with no medical supervision and, if so, should not,
in any way, view their fetal keepsake ultrasound images as a substitute for
appropriate medical attention. Use of such medical equipment by unlicensed
individuals may also be a violation of federal law.
The American College of Radiology (ACR) fully supports the views of the US
Food and Drug Administration that fetal ultrasound be performed only for
medical purposes, by certified technologists, with a prescription from an
appropriately licensed provider.
"This is a patient safety issue. Untrained people, even if they have the
financial means, should not buy, or be allowed to buy and operate, ultrasound
machines which are, in fact, medical devices and should not be used without a
medical indication," said Carol M. Rumack, MD, FACR, Chair of the ACR
Ultrasound Commission. "Images of the fetus are an opportunity to diagnose
problems before birth that may require treatment. These images should be
obtained by certified technologists under the supervision of physicians
properly trained in ultrasound. The images should then be interpreted by
properly trained physicians and discussed with the parents and treating
physicians in order to plan for the best care of the baby and mother," said
Dr. Rumack.
Ultrasound imaging, also known as ultrasound scanning or sonography, is a
method of obtaining images from inside the human body through the use of high
frequency sound waves. The sound waves' echoes are recorded and displayed as a
real-time, visual image.
Ultrasound is generally considered safe when used by properly trained
providers for medical purposes. Physicians routinely use ultrasound imaging to
check the size, location, number or age of fetuses in the womb; the presence
of some types of birth defects; fetal movement; breathing; and heartbeat.
However, ultrasound should not be considered completely innocuous. Laboratory
studies have shown that diagnostic levels of ultrasound can produce physical
effects in tissue, such as mechanical vibrations and rise in temperature,
particularly when used for a prolonged period of time.
The FDA stated on August 30, 2005, that "public health experts, clinicians
and industry agree that casual exposure to ultrasound, especially during
pregnancy, should be avoided. Viewed in this light, exposing the fetus to
ultrasound with no anticipation of medical benefit is not justified."
"The ACR is concerned that Tom Cruise has been badly advised regarding the
use and potential abuse of ultrasound. There are many abnormalities that may
be missed by the untrained eye. Also, if it is not medically necessary, the
use of ultrasound raises unnecessary physical risk to the fetus," said Dr.
Rumack.
The FDA has also stated, "Persons who promote, sell or lease ultrasound
equipment for making 'keepsake' fetal videos should know that FDA views this
as an unapproved use of a medical device. In addition, those who subject
individuals to ultrasound exposure using a diagnostic ultrasound device (a
prescription device) without a physician's order may be in violation of state
or local laws or regulations regarding use of a prescription medical device."
"It is disconcerting that a company would sell a medical device to a
person not qualified in any way to perform or interpret ultrasound. In
medicine, our basic rule has been 'first, do no harm.' No medical procedure is
performed or drug given without weighing the risk and the benefit to the
patient. If there is no medical supervision for this process, I see no benefit
to the patient, which in this case, is Mr. Cruise's unborn child," said Dr.
Rumack.