New research has found that women who undergo CT scans before becoming pregnant may face a modestly elevated risk of pregnancy loss and birth defects, though experts caution against alarm.
The study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, analysed more than 5,000 pregnancies between 1992 and 2023. It found pregnancy loss occurred in 101 per 1,000 pregnancies where no CT scan had been performed, rising to 117 for one scan, 130 for two, and 142 for three or more. Birth defects followed a similar pattern, increasing from 62 per 1,000 with no scan to 105 for three or more scans.
Associate Professor Alex Polyakov, Medical Director at Genea Fertility Melbourne, says the rate of increase, while statistically detectable in a large dataset, may not be meaningful at an individual patient level. He also highlights a key limitation: women who undergo CT scans are more likely to have underlying health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, or a history of smoking, all of which independently raise pregnancy risks. Separating the effect of the scan from the reason it was needed in the first place is a significant methodological challenge.
His position is measured: the findings do not prove that CT scans before pregnancy cause harm, but they do reinforce the broader principle of caution when it comes to imaging for women of reproductive age.
Read the full article for the complete data and expert analysis.
A/Prof Alex Polyakov
Associate Professor Alex Polyakov is an Obstetrician, Gynaecologist and Fertility specialist practicing in East Melbourne. A/Prof Polyakov is unique among fertility specialists by offering a holistic approach that encompasses surgical, fertility, and obstetric care. This means Alex is highly trained to perform surgical interventions for gynaecological conditions such as fibroids, endometriosis, and intrauterine polyps/adhesions.
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