Nuchal translucency test

Your health care provider uses abdominal ultrasound or a vaginal ultrasound to measure the nuchal fold. 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. A blood test of the mother is…

Having a full bladder will give the best abdominal ultrasound picture. You may be asked to drink 2 to 3 glasses of liquid an hour before the test. DO NOT urinate before your ultrasound. If a vaginal ultrasound is performed, your bladder should be empty.

You may have some discomfort from pressure on your bladder during the ultrasound. The gel used during the test may feel slightly cold and wet. You will not feel the ultrasound waves.

Your provider may advise this test to screen your baby for Down syndrome. Many pregnant women decide to have this test. Nuchal translucency is usually done between the 11th and 14th week of pregnancy. It can be done earlier in pregnancy than amniocentesis . Amniocentesis is another test that checks for birth defects.

A normal amount of fluid in the back of the neck during ultrasound means it is very unlikely your baby has Down syndrome or another genetic disorder. Nuchal translucency measurement increases with gestational age. This is the period between conception and birth. The higher the measurement compared to babies the same…

More fluid than normal in the back of the neck means there is a higher risk for Down syndrome, trisomy 18, trisomy 13, Turner syndrome, or congenital heart disease. But it does not tell for certain that the baby has Down syndrome or another genetic disorder. A diagnostic test is required to find out if a serious…

There are no known risks from ultrasound.

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists website. NIPT summary of recommendations. www.acog.org/advocacy/policy-priorities/non-invasive-prenatal-testing/current-acog-guidance . Accessed June 7, 2023. Driscoll DA, Simpson JL. Genetic screening and diagnosis. In: Landon MB, Galan HL, Jauniaux ERM, et al, eds.…