Will inhaled helium gas have any harmful effects on the fetus?
Dr Irwin Ziment
Professor of Medicine,
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), USA
Professor of Medicine,
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), USA
Q: I am 22 weeks pregnant. Recently a helium cylinder burst open at my work place. I moved out of the place for 30 minutes and then returned to work. Will the Helium gas have any effect on my baby? I am not sure if traces of the gas were in the air and I inhaled them. Is my child safe?
A:Helium exposure is not harmful to mothers or the fetus unless there is an explosion. Helium is sometimes used in the treatment of acute asthma because it is inert.