Significance of sonological evaluation of nuchal translucency and correlation with pregnancy outcome

Aims and objectives: To determine the effectiveness of the first-trimester nuchal translucency (NT) scan and prospective study with pregnancy outcome. (1) The study involves prenatal sonological evaluation of NT between 11 weeks and 13 weeks 6 days of gestation. (2) To correlate NT and congenital anomalies. Materials and methods: Study design: This study was performed on pregnant women with gestational age of 11 weeks and 13 weeks 6 days at Kasturba Medical College and Govt. Lady Goschen Hospital, Mangaluru, from March 2, 2009 to March 10, 2011. Pregnant women undergone screening are followed up till delivery and assessment of congenital anomalies done. Inclusion criteria: (1) Pregnant women with gestational age of 11 weeks and 13 weeks 6 days. (2) Crown-rump length between 45 mm and 84 mm. Subjects: Subjects are screened with ultrasonography and data entered. The subjects are followed up till the pregnancy outcome. The clinical assessment of the newborn baby was done to look for any congenital anomalies. The statistical analysis was done by using the Chi-square test. p < 0.05 is considered to be significant. Techniques: (1) NT measurements done in the sagittal view of the fetus in the neutral position. (2) Magnification was such that only upper two-thirds of fetus were included in images. (3) Maximal subcutaneous translucency overlying neck was measured. (4) Measurement was taken with the horizontal lines placed on the lines that define the nuchal translucency thickness. Results: (1) Increase in NT is associated with congenital abnormalities. (2) Increased NT is 551.41 times likely to have anomalies compared with normal NT. Conclusion: Nuchal translucency is a strong predictor of congenital and chromosomal anomalies.