- Nuchal Translucency
- Posterior fetal neck lucency by Ultrasound
- Timing: 11-13 weeks gestation
- Technique
- Ultrasound used to measure the lucency of the posterior fetal neck
- Measurement requires additional special training and certification
- Do not use Nuchal Translucency alone (combine with serum Aneuploidy Screening)
- Exception: Multiple Gestation pregnancies (serum testing is inaccurate)
- Abnormal Nuchal Translucency is associated with both Aneuploidy and structural defects
- Obtain detailed Fetal SurveyUltrasound at 18 to 22 weeks if abnormal Nuchal Translucency
- Obtain fetal Echocardiogram if abnormal Nuchal Translucency (per ACOG guidelines)
- Differential Diagnosis
-
Increased Nuchal Translucency
-
Down Syndrome and other Genetic Syndromes
- Major Congenital Heart Defect
-
Great Vessel defect
- Fetal malformations, dysplasias, deformations and disruptions
-
False Positives (Nuchal Translucency increases 15-20% per week in normal pregnancies)
loading