A review of the current use of magnetic resonance imaging in pregnancy and safety implications for the fetus

This paper presents an overview of the application of and risks of exposure to Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in pregnancy. It reviews the risks to the fetus by considering the hazards in terms of the three main components of an MRI system. These are the static magnetic field, the time-varying magnetic gradient fields and the pulsed radio frequency fields. The hazards discussed are biological effects, miscarriage, heating effects and acoustic noise exposure. This paper also presents a survey of MRI sites within the United Kingdom to ascertain the extent of MRI usage in pregnancy. To validate the situation of MRI in pregnancy a survey was sent to 352 MR units throughout the United Kingdom. The questions were grouped to assess (a) maternal MRI diagnosis (b) fetal MRI and (c) work practices for pregnant MRI staff. The results showed that 91% of sites were imaging pregnant women in need of diagnosis in the second and third trimester. This paper highlights that MRI can add information for fetal central nervous system abnormalities identified by ultrasound screening, however within the UK direct fetal imaging was only performed in 8% of sites. This paper indicates the need for research to be undertaken for specific MRI clinical conditions. It also advises that risk assessment for pregnant staff working in MRI is performed, and that there is a clear need for further research into the effects of MRI in pregnancy as there is a need for clear authoritive advice.

Interactions of zero-frequency and oscillating magnetic fields with biostructures and biosystems

This review points to the investigations concerning the effects of zero-frequency (DC) and oscillating (AC) magnetic fields (MFs) on living matter, and especially those exerted by weak DC and low-frequency/low-intensity AC MFs. Starting from the analysis of observations on the action of natural magnetic storms (MSs) or periodic geomagnetic field (GMF) variations on bacteria, plants and animals, which led to an increasing interest in MFs in general, this survey pays particular attention to the background knowledge regarding the action of artificial MFs not only at the ionic, molecular or macromolecular levels, but also at the levels of subcellular regions, in vitro cycling cells, in situ functioning tissues or organs and total bodies or entire populations. The significance of some crucial findings concerning, for instance, the MF-dependence of the nuclear or cellular volumes, rate of cell proliferation vs. that of cell death, extent of necrosis vs. that of apoptosis and cell membrane fluidity, is judged by comparing the results obtained in a solenoid (SLD), where an MF can be added to a GMF, with those obtained in a magnetically shielded room (MSR), where the MFs can be partially attenuated or null. This comparative criterion is required because the differences detected in the behaviour of the experimental samples against that of the controls are rather small per se and also because the evaluation of the data often depends upon the peculiarity of the methodologies used. Therefore, only very small differences are observed in estimating the MF-dependence of the expression of a single gene or of the rates of total DNA replication, RNA transcription and protein translation. The review considers the MF-dependence of the interactions between host eukaryotic cells and infecting bacteria, while documentation of the harmful effects of the MFs on specific life processes is reported; cases of favourable action of the MFs on a number of biological functions are also evidenced. In the framework of studies on the origin and adaptation of life on Earth or in the Universe, theoretical insights paving the way to elucidate the mechanisms of the MF interactions with biostructures and biosystems are considered.