Nuchal Translucency, A Marker of Fetal Genetic  Health

Dr. Mithil Patil; Dr. Savita Mehendale; Dr. T. M. Panchanadikar; Dr. Girija Wagh; Dr. Vandana Nimbargi

Volume : III, Issue : I, January - 2013

Nuchal Translucency, A Marker of Fetal Genetic Health

Dr. Mithil Patil, Dr. Savita Mehendale, Dr. T. M. Panchanadikar, Dr. Girija Wagh, Dr. Vandana Nimbargi

Abstract :

Nuchal Translucency (NT) is the sonographic appearance of a collection of fluid under the skin behind the fetal neck in the first trimester of pregnancy. In our routine practice anomaly scan is done at the gestational age of 20–21 wks & MTP is allowed only upto the gestational age of 20 wks. So if we found any congenital anomaly or suspicious of it , we can’t terminate the pregnancy beyond 20 wks. Patient suffers from tremendous psychological upset knowing her baby is not well inside. So it has become the need of time to diagnose chromosomal & congenital anomalies as early as we can so safely terminate the pregnancies in the first trimester before the patient is `showing`. ACOG 2007 has recommended the same – All pregnant patients in the first trimester should be screened for chromosomal & congenital anomalies of the baby irrespective of the age of the mother. Aim: Screening of chromosomal & congenital anomalies in the fetus with the measurement of nuchal translucency in the first trimester of pregnancy( 11 wks – 13.5 wks ). Material & Methods : Prospective study is conducted at Bharati Hospital & Research Centre , Pune where almost 176 patients are included in the trial. Nuchal Translucency measurement is done at 11– 13.5 wks of pregnancy on a criteria laid down by the Fetal Medicine Foundation , UK. Observations : Most of the patients ( 80 %) Nuchal Thickness value falls between 1 to 1.5 mms. While 10 % of the patients have values below 1 mm & 10 % above 2 mm. We have kept 2.5 mms as a cut off between normal & abnormal value .we have come across 5 patients having NT measurement more than 2.5 mms out of which 2 patients were found to have downs fetus’ on further diagnostic invasive testing. Conclusion : Nuchal Translucency measurement in the fetus at 11– 13.5 wks of pregnancy is a simple, cheap & less time consuming investigation . If NT measurement is done on a strict criteria laid down by the Fetal Medicine Foundation ,UK , it can certainly give us a first clue regarding the fetal genetic health. So every pregnant women regardless of the age & parity should be screened for chromosomal and structural anomalies by doing Nuchal Translucency Measurement at 11–13.5 wks of pregnancy.