The nuchal scan or nuchal fold screening is a specialized form of ultrasound that is used to test for the presence of Down's syndrome or other chromosomal abnormality.
The nuchal scan can be performed earlier than amniocentesis and has none of the attendant risks. Because it uses ultrasound, the nuchal scan is non-invasive and painless.
Research has indicated that there is a link between certain chromosomal abnormalities, such as Down's syndromeA congenital abnormality in which the baby is born mentally retarded, with an average IQ of 50 - 60 and with physical deformation of the face (low set ears, sloping forehead, mongoloid eyes), and shortness of stature.
Downs syndrome is caused by an extra chromosome 21 present in the G group. In a small percentage of cases it can be caused by the switching of chromosomes 14 or15 in the D group or chromosome 21 or 22.
Down's syndrome occurs in about 1 in 650 births, and is more commonly associated with children of mother's over the age of 35. Incidence in children of mothers over the age of 40 can be as high as 1 in 80.
Down's syndrome can be detected prenatally through amniocentesis. The mortality rate is high within the first few years. Down's syndrome is also known as mongolizm, trisomy 21 or trisomy G syndrome.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions., and the thickness of the back of the fetal neck. This area is called the nuchal fold, and appears on ultrasound as a dark bar around the neck. Nuchal scans use ultrasound to identify the presence of a thick nuchal pad as an indication of the presence of Down's syndrome, other chromosomal abnormalities or heart defects.
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Alphafetoprotein, or AFP testing, is still the default test to screen for Down's syndrome. Nuchal scans are usually only available at larger medical centers, requiring a highly trained technician to operate the ultrasound. Ask your doctor if nuchal fold screening is available for your pregnancy.
There are few, if any, risks associated with this test.
Nuchal fold screening is typically performed between week ten and week fourteen.
The test requires the experience of a highly trained technician to read the ultrasound images. The operator will interpret the images on the screen while the test is performed.
If a nuchal scan indicates that Down's syndromeA congenital abnormality in which the baby is born mentally retarded, with an average IQ of 50 - 60 and with physical deformation of the face (low set ears, sloping forehead, mongoloid eyes), and shortness of stature.
Downs syndrome is caused by an extra chromosome 21 present in the G group. In a small percentage of cases it can be caused by the switching of chromosomes 14 or15 in the D group or chromosome 21 or 22.
Down's syndrome occurs in about 1 in 650 births, and is more commonly associated with children of mother's over the age of 35. Incidence in children of mothers over the age of 40 can be as high as 1 in 80.
Down's syndrome can be detected prenatally through amniocentesis. The mortality rate is high within the first few years. Down's syndrome is also known as mongolizm, trisomy 21 or trisomy G syndrome.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. or other problem may be present, the diagnosis will be confirmed using AFP3, or triple test screening. Amniocentesis may also be offered to confirm the diagnosis. Your doctor will guide you through your options.
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