What Is A Nuchal Scan?

There are many tests women undergo during their pregnancy such as blood tests and ultrasound baby scans. Each of these tests take place at different times during the pregnancy and each will look at different factors in order to determine the health of the developing foetus.

One of the many scans a woman may be asked to undergo during her pregnancy is the nuchal translucency scan (NT) also known as nuchal scan which measures the risk of the baby having Edward’s syndrome, Down’s syndrome, Patau’s syndrome and Turner’s syndrome. Each of these conditions are caused by chromosomal abnormalities with Down’s syndrome (trisomy 21) being most common. Knowing whether your child is likely to have a chromosomal abnormality can help you to plan for the future.

A child can be born with Down’s sundrome to a woman of any age although the risk increases with maternal age. A nuchal scan is offered to women over the age of 35 and also those who have a history of previous problem pregnancies or a family history of chromosome abnormalities.

Nuchal scans are non-invasive and don’t carry any risk to mother or baby. The scan is usually carried out between 11 weeks 3 days and 13 weeks 6 days gestation, making the results most accurate. The fluid under the skin in the nuchal fold behind the neck is measured giving a ratio of probability or the baby being effected. This test can be quite an anxious time, so mothers are advised to take someone with them for the results.

Women with risk results of 1:300 or less often go on to have healthy babies. When combined with the OSCAR blood test, results are more accurate. 2d scan pictures often accompany the result and parent can then opt for either a 3d or 4d ultrasound scan later on in the pregnancy.

These scans can be taken at any time during the pregnancy but for more realistic pictures it is best to wait until you are 26 to 32 weeks pregnant so that you can clearly see the baby’s face, fingers, toes, hands and feet as well as any facial gestures that they may be making at the time. There is evidence to suggest that having 3d ultrasound scans and 4d ultrasound scans help with the bonding between parent and baby.

Nuchal scans help parents to make decisions about their future with their baby as they provide valuable information Combined with other ultrasound scans, such as 4d ultrasound, parents have a clear picture of their unborn baby.

For more information on chromosome abnormality scans please visitnuchal scan

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