Haemodynamic effects of breast‐feeding

The CT films had an electrifying effect on the ultrasound department, since fixed fetal kyphos is highly suspicious of neural-tube defect. In addition, the apparent bowing of the humerus had raised the possibility of a hone dysplasia (hence the need lor X-ray, since sonographic assessment of bone is of limited value). Kadiology in pregnancy has always had traps [or the unwary, a s there is n o guarantee that the fetus will stay still o r position itself in proper orientation to the X-ray beam. Foreshortening of the limbs, and distortion of the thorax by lordosis, a5 in this case, are common. Movement may cause non-visualization ol'a limb, o r even of :in entire tcrm fetus. For similar reasons, in the early years of ultrasound. static scanning of a moving target led (inter ulia) to overand underdiagnosis of multiple pregnancy. These problems must also be kept in mind with "1. especially the 'scout' films. for which the patient is moved Ihrough the machine during several seconds (Brody et al. 1986). In particuiar. to avoid causing unnecessary distress to the parents, it is prudent not to mention a diagnosis until abnormality has been confirmed by a repeat study or. preferahly, by another method.