The Importance Of A Nuchal Translucency Test

Posted by on No comments

nuchal translucency test

Pregnancy in America tends to be safe. However there are other risk and expectant mother faces. The child may be born with Down’s syndrome or another chromosomal abnormality as well as congenital heart problems. In such cases a test has been administered to determine if the fetus is at risk for these conditions. It’s called the nuchal translucency test (NT), in use in America since 1995 at larger medical facilities.

The test is a prenatal test that scans the nuchal fold of the fetus. Using ultrasound the clear space at the back of the baby’s neck is measured. Babies with abnormalities tend to have more fluid at the back of the neck making this area larger than normal during the first trimester. The NT should be conducted when the mother is 11-12 weeks pregnant. It should actually be done at the latest by 13 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy.

The NT is a screening test. It doesn’t give an actual diagnosis. It simply determines the risk of the baby having certain problems. It gives the parents a chance to make decisions about the pregnancy early on. After the NT scan, the parents may decide to have amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling to find out if the baby really does have these problems.

If amniocentesis is needed because the NT suggested there might be an abnormality there are risks that the parents must consider before taking the test. Miscarriage is less than 1% risk, but it is still a risk. The mother could experience bleeding, leaking fluid or cramping. She could also develop an infection from the procedure. The fetus is rarely harmed by the needle that extracts the amniotic fluid, but it has happened. The mother’s blood could be mixed with the baby’s blood which could be a problem if they have different blood types. The last risk is an inconclusive test that requires a repeat test.

Amniocentesis is the insertion of a needle to remove a small amount of amniotic fluid from the womb or uterus. Testing the amniotic fluid can detect problems with the baby’s genes. It can also reveal the baby’s developmental progress. Amniocentesis is the last test needed after the NT returns questionable results. This result if returned within the first trimester gives the parents options to continue the pregnancy or to terminate it.

nuchal translucency test

The NT is done by the sonographer first measuring the baby to determine if he or she is the right size for their gestational age. The baby is measured from rump to crown. The next step is to use the transducer to find the baby’s nuchal fold and measure its thickness with calipers. The established measurement for a baby at that gestational age is compared to the measurement obtained from the ultrasound. Other factors are also considered for the first trimester screening of a NT. A blood test, the baby’s gestational age and the mother’s age are also factored into the final result. The older the mother, the more likely a chromosomal abnormality might occur. A woman age 40 or older has a much higher risk of chromosomal abnormalities in their babies. There is a 1 in 82 chance of problems in an older woman’s child.
The NT test gives the parent’s some assurance that they don’t need to take an amniocentesis test and that their baby should be normal and healthy. It is the first and safest way to determine if there is a risk of a chromosomal problem or other disorder. It is non-invasive and thus much safer for the mother and child.

This is a sticky post! continue reading?

Nuchal Translucency Screening

Posted by on No comments

Here you will see the new baby’s Nuchal Translucency.

Learn Down Syndrome Facts To Better Understand The Condition

Posted by on No comments

down syndrome facts

Learning that your child has been diagnosed with any genetic condition can be incredibly trying for parents and other family members. A little research and an open heart will go a long way on your quest for down syndrome facts. Read on to learn the basics about this disorder.

Most humans are born with 46 chromosomes, but those affected by Down Syndrome have 47. Unlike certain other genetic diseases, Down Syndrome is unrelated to religion or race and affects individuals from various socioeconomic backgrounds.

The causes of Down Syndrome aren’t completely understood. While researchers know that the condition is caused by an error in the division of cells, the reason for this is unknown. Since the error that causes Down Syndrome occurs at the moment of conception, mothers never have to worry that they did something incorrectly during pregnancy to cause the condition. However, Down Syndrome has been linked to advanced maternal age; but older moms should also remember that 80% of children with the condition were born to mothers under the age of 35.

Since Down Syndrome causes certain physical features, such as upwardly slanted eyes and a lack of muscle tone, it is usually diagnosed at birth. Other characteristics that help determine whether or not an infant has Down Syndrome include a flat facial profile and a single line across the palm of the hand. Once suspected, chromosomal studies will be performed to confirm a diagnosis of Down Syndrome .

A child with Down Syndrome usually receives therapy for speech, developmental, and physical delays. Those who care about someone with Down Syndrome should remember that sufferers are not really that different from anyone else. While the person affected by Down Syndrome will experience certain developmental delays, they’ll also demonstrate that they too possess certain talents and abilities, just like anyone else.

down syndrome facts

Most children with Down Syndrome attend public school with their peers, either as a mainstreamed student or as a special education student. The child will most likely go on to graduate and function as a part of the community. The main thing to remember as you educate your Down Syndrome student is that he or she is quite capable of learning, but will probably need a more structured environment than most children require.

Now that you understand a bit about the chromosomal disorder known as Down Syndrome, you’ll be able to help others understand that people with Down Syndrome are just like everyone else.

What Can Cause First Trimester Bleeding?

Posted by on No comments

first trimester bleeding

First trimester bleeding is fairly common. In fact, studies have shown that up to 30 percent of women will bleed during their first trimester. It can be alarming to experience bleeding, but it is important to note that vaginal bleeding does not always indicate something serious. However, a woman cannot be too careful when it comes to her life or the life of her offspring. For that reason, all women who experience vaginal bleeding during pregnancy should consult with their doctor or midwife.

One of the most common causes of bleeding during pregnancy is cervicitis. This is an infection that is caused by inflammation. In most cases, it can easily be treated by applying an over-the-counter cream to the affected area.

Several days after the egg is fertilized, it attaches itself to the uterine wall. This is a process that is referred to as implantation. A woman can sometimes bleed during the process of implantation. This bleeding can resemble the same flow that a woman experiences during her period. That is why many women think that they are having their periods when they are actually pregnant.

During pregnancy, the cervix becomes more tender and sensitive. Sexual intercourse can irritate the cervix and cause bleeding. If a woman notices that she has been bleeding after having sex, she should stop having intercourse until she is seen by her doctor or midwife.

Miscarriages are common during early pregnancy. Studies have shown that 15-20 percent of women will experience a miscarriage during their first trimester. One of the primary symptoms of a miscarriage is bleeding. This bleeding may also be accompanied by cramping. If a woman experiences bleeding and cramping, she should seek emergency treatment right away.

first trimester bleeding

Most of the time, an egg attaches to the uterine wall. However, in some cases the egg stays in the fallopian tube and grows there. This is a condition that is referred to as an ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancies are life-threatening. They can also cause bleeding. Other signs of an ectopic pregnancy include cramping and severe abdominal pain. Again, if a woman experiences bleeding, cramping and abdominal pain, it is time to seek emergency treatment.

Many women will bleed during the first trimester of their pregnancy and it may not indicate anything serious. It must be reiterated that a woman has to especially cautious during pregnancy. That is why it is important for all women who bleed to consult with a health care professional.

Detect Genetic Defects Early With Nuchal Screening

Posted by on No comments

nuchal screening

A nuchal screening or a nuchal scan is a prenatal test used to assess nuchal translucency. Nuchal translucency, also known as nuchal fold, is the accumulation of fluid behind a fetus’ neck. The nuchal fold of a fetus thickens each day, with the fluid completely disappearing at the 15th week of gestation. Nuchal translucency is normal for all fetuses between the 11th and 14th week of gestation. Fetuses, however, which have an increased amount of fluid in their nuchal folds, are considered to have greater chances of having genetic defects.

A nuchal scan is primarily performed to assess for chromosomal defects; however, it can also be used to determine a fetus age and viability. The screening is usually done to women who have high-risk pregnancies. It is recommended, however, that all pregnant women should undergo a nuchal scan since every woman carries a small risk of having a baby with chromosomal abnormalities.

A nuchal scan can help identify whether a fetus is at risk of developing Down’s syndrome (trisomy 21). However, the scan can also determine the presence of some less common chromosomal defects such as Edward’s syndrome (trisomy 18), Patau’s syndrome (trisomy 13), triploidy, and Turner’s syndrome. The screening also helps determine the possibilities of congenital heart defects since such disorders can also cause nuchal fold abnormalities.

Accurate results can be seen if the screening is done between the 11th and 14th week of gestation. A nuchal scan uses sonographic images (ultrasound) to view a fetus’ nuchal fold. A clear image of the nuchal fold can be obtained if the fetus is in sagittal section with the head in a neutral position. The scan is commonly done through the abdomen, but there are instances wherein a vaginal scan might be needed to get a better view.

The normal measurement of a nuchal translucency varies according to the gestational age of the fetus. The normal nuchal translucency measurement at 11 weeks is about 2mm, and at 13 weeks it goes up to 2.8 mm. The nuchal fold grows along with the fetus. At the 15th week of gestation, however, the fluid drains out along with the development of the fetal lymphatic system.

nuchal screening

Nuchal scans have the accuracy rate of 64-70%. It is important to remember that a nuchal scan is just a screening test; a negative result does not give the assurance of a healthy, normal fetus. A positive result, likewise, does not guarantee chromosomal defects. When the result of a nuchal screening comes out positive, amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling must be done to confirm if the fetus has genetic abnormalities.

Why A Nuchal Scan And What To Do After

Posted by on No comments

nuchal scan

Expecting a child can bring a lot of joy and satisfaction, but can also be the source of anxiety for parents, especially with the incidence of chromosomal defects like Down’s Syndrome rising.
As a consequence, you might be looking to do away with your worries and today’s medical technology can provide you with methods that will offer you some clues about your fetus.
Such a method is the nuchal scan, a sonographic prenatal examination which measures the amount of fluid behind the neck of the fetus indicating the existence of a predisposition towards Down ’s Syndrome.
For optimum accuracy, the investigation is carried out at 11 to 14 weeks of gestation and is recommended more frequently for older women who have a higher risk of giving birth to a child with Down’s Syndrome, but can also be performed on younger mothers with the same precision.
The procedure is simple and painless as the radiographer merely uses an ultrasound scan to display the image of the fetus on the screen and then measure the thickness of the nuchal fold, behind the baby’s neck and since the measurement is done at the moment of the examination, the result will be presented to you right away, sparing you of a long strenuous wait.
The accuracy of the nuchal scan has been estimated by some at around 65%, but in combination with other exams, such as blood tests, the accuracy can go up to 80%-85%.
If unfortunately the doctor finds that the amount of fluid is higher than normal, it means the fetus has a higher risk of having a chromosomal defect or a congenital heart condition, which has also been associated with abnormal thickness of the nuchal fold.
In such a case the doctor might advise you to resort to a more invasive test such as the chorionic villus sampling or the amniocentesis.
The chorionic villus sampling is a method of exploration for chromosomal imperfections which requires getting a sample of the placental tissue , while the amniocentesis involves extracting a small amount of the fluid surrounding the fetus and testing it for DNA imperfections.

nuchal scan
Both these tests have a much higher diagnostic accuracy, although the high degree of invasiveness they involve has been said to cause miscarriage in approximately 1% of cases.
With this in mind it is advisable to put a significant amount of effort into deciding whether or not you want to resort to such tests.