MRI during pregnancy associated with increased risk of stillbirth and neonatal death

Recent research has reveal that Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be used for diagnostic imaging in pregnancy when ultrasound examination is inadequate; however, fetal safety has not been conclusively established.

Study conducted by American College of Radiology Committee on Drugs and Contrast Media et al, conducted the largest study of MRI in pregnancy (over 1700 exposed and 1.4 million unexposed births) and reported that first-trimester MRI was not associated with significantly increased risks for stillbirth, neonatal death, congenital anomaly, neoplasm, or vision or hearing loss in children followed up to age four years, when adjustments were made for differences between exposure groups. The study also found that gadolinium exposure at any time during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk for stillbirth and neonatal death.

Children exposed in utero were at increased risk for rheumatological, inflammatory, or infiltrative skin conditions, but not congenital anomalies or nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF). This study is a major addition to the body of evidence supporting the safety of MRI in pregnancy when medically indicated.

It also provides the first data supporting existing recommendations to avoid use of gadolinium-based contrast agents in pregnant women, when possible