What Is A Safe Nuchal Fold Measurement?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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What is a normal nuchal translucency measurement? An NT of

less than 3.5mm

is considered normal when your baby measures between 45mm (1.8in) and 84mm (3.3in) . Up to 14 weeks, your baby’s NT measurement usually increases as they grow. But after this, extra fluid can be reabsorbed.

What is a low risk NT measurement?

It is calculated using the nuchal translucency measurement and the special blood tests. Your adjusted risk will be termed “low risk” if the

risk is less than 1 in 1000

. For example, 1 in 1250, 1 in 1500, 1 in 6000. “Low risk” does not mean “no” risk.

What is a normal nuchal translucency measurement at 12 weeks?

First trimester measurement of NT at 12 weeks of gestation was

3.2 mm

during the routine first trimester screening. The normal range of NT for this age is 1.1-3 mm.

What is a normal nuchal fold measurement?

The nuchal fold is a normal fold of skin at the back of a baby’s neck. This can be measured

between 15 to 22 weeks in

pregnancy as part of a routine prenatal ultrasound. Follow-up is offered when the nuchal fold is thick (6 mm or more). Many healthy babies have thick nuchal folds.

What is an abnormal nuchal fold measurement?

ACOG defines an abnormal nuchal fold as

≥ 6mm in the 2nd trimester

(typically performed between 15w0d and 22w6d). The SOGC (Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada) considers a nuchal fold to be abnormal when the measurement is ≥ 5 mm at 16-18 weeks, or ≥ to 6 mm at 18-24 weeks.

Which week is best for NT scan?

NT screening is usually done between

weeks 11 1/2 and 13 1/2

, but it must be performed between week 10 and week 13 of pregnancy. After that, the tissue gets thicker and is no longer translucent, so test results become inconclusive.

Does a thick nuchal fold mean Down syndrome?

Many studies have shown that a thickened nuchal fold in a second-trimester fetus is

a sonographic sign suggestive of a high risk for Down syndrome

. These series have included fetuses already at risk for aneuploidy because of advanced maternal age or abnormal maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels.

What is a high risk nuchal result?

The calculation based on the mother’s age, the nuchal translucency measurement of your baby, the gestational age of the baby, blood tests and the baby’s nasal bone. If you have a

risk of 1 in 300 or greater (e.g. 1 in 150)

you are considered to be in the “increased risk” category.

Can nuchal translucency go away?

Studies have shown that in normal fetuses the fluid collection known as NT increases with gestational age until about 13 weeks’ gestation3 and usually disappears

after 14 weeks3

, 4.

Can you see abnormalities at 12 week scan?

The 12-week pregnancy screen and scan is used to:

The first trimester screening scan allows a close assessment of a baby’s anatomy and organs and can detect abnormalities that may be linked with

Down syndrome

or other major types of birth defects.

How accurate is nuchal fold test?

The nuchal translucency test correctly finds

Down syndrome in 64 to 70 out of 100 fetuses

who have it. It misses Down syndrome in 30 to 36 out of 100 fetuses. First-trimester screening (nuchal translucency combined with the blood tests) correctly finds Down syndrome in 82 to 87 out of 100 fetuses who have it.

What is the difference between nuchal fold and nuchal translucency?

Nuchal fold thickness

Nuchal translucency testing is distinctly different from and should not be confused with nuchal thickness testing. At the end of the second trimester (26 weeks), the nuchal translucency can

no longer

be seen and instead the nuchal fold thickness is measured between 16 and 24 weeks gestation.

How common is thick nuchal fold?

According to the practice bulletin concerning fetal aneuploidy screening published by the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the likely ratio (LR) for thickened nuchal fold (TNF) is

11 to 18.6.

Can a thick nuchal translucency be normal?

However, even if conventional karyotyping is normal,

increased NT

is a predictive value of adverse pregnancy outcome, because it is associated with several fetal malformations, congenital heart defects, genetic syndromes, intrauterine death and miscarriages; the majority of these structural anomalies are undetectable …

Do Down syndrome babies have thick necks?

All unborn babies have some fluid at the back of their neck. In a baby with Down syndrome or other genetic disorders, there is more fluid than normal. This makes

the space look thicker

.

Is 9 weeks too early for NT scan?

The NT scan must be done when you’re

between 11 and 14 weeks pregnant

, because this is when the base of your baby’s neck is still transparent. (The last day you can have it is the day you turn 13 weeks and 6 days pregnant.)

Rebecca Patel
Author
Rebecca Patel
Rebecca is a beauty and style expert with over 10 years of experience in the industry. She is a licensed esthetician and has worked with top brands in the beauty industry. Rebecca is passionate about helping people feel confident and beautiful in their own skin, and she uses her expertise to create informative and helpful content that educates readers on the latest trends and techniques in the beauty world.