Infants scan could stop brain problems, researchers say

BBC – Detailed MRI scans should be offered to some women in pregnancy to help spot brain defects in the developing baby, say researchers.

Ultrasounds are already used to look inside the womb and check that the baby is growing properly.

However, the study on 570 women published in the Lancet showed doctors were able to make a much better diagnosis using MRI scans.

Experts called for the scans to become routine practice.

Pregnant women are offered an ultrasound scan at about 20 weeks that can spot abnormalities in the brain.

They are detected in three in every 1,000 pregnancies.

If the brain fails to develop properly it can result in miscarriage or still birth. Couples are generally offered counselling and some choose to have an abortion.