An abnormal NT scan report can be worrisome. but what is Nuchal Translucency? Nuchal Translucency scan also commonly known as the NT scan, offers an insight into the fetus’s chromosomal abnormalities and congenital heart conditions if any, as early as eleven to thirteen weeks into pregnancy.
However, this is often an ultrasound scan used to determine if the baby is at risk for chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome, expectant parents find themselves troubled with a thousand questions.
The need for an NT scan does not necessarily mean that your baby is at risk of complications. It is to screen and test for any possibilities to help parents make an informed decision and aid them in their pregnancy journey.
Pregnancy is an exciting time in a woman’s life, but it can also be a little stressful. And if you are an expecting parent and have concerns about your NT (or Nuchal Translucency) scan, there are answers to the questions you are looking at.
Read on to know more.
The first and most common question among expectant parents is-
What causes an abnormal NT scan Report?
An NT scan is a type of ultrasound that helps to assess the risk of your baby having certain chromosomal conditions, such as Down syndrome. Your healthcare provider may recommend an NT scan if they find abnormalities with your blood test or if you have an increased risk for Down syndrome based on your age.
There are many different causes of birth defects, including chromosomal abnormalities and structural anomalies. Some common examples of these anomalies include cardiac defects, diaphragmatic hernias, body stalk anomalies, and skeletal defects.
In some cases, an abnormal NT scan report can also be due to a high risk of miscarriage.
Another common question that most expectant parents have is how to interpret their NT scan reports. If you are someone who had the same question, rest assured you are not alone. Here is a brief explanation of –
How to interpret your NT scan report with a sample?
Your baby’s nuchal translucency (NT) measurement is a key indicator of their health and development. Typically, NT measurements increase as babies grow from 11 weeks old up (45mm) to 14 weeks (85mm) in length.
However, when babies are between 45mm and 85mm, an NT of less than 3mm is considered normal.
Attention and care are only required when the NT increases, as this also increases the likelihood of Down syndrome and other chromosomal conditions. If a baby has an NT level of more than 3mm, the baby might likely have Down Syndrome or other chromosomal abnormalities and congenital heart conditions.
Even a normal NT measurement, must be considered in conjunction with the blood test result and other factors such as your age. Your sonographer will enter the NT measurement, blood test results, and other factors into a database to draw a more accurate estimate of the likelihood of Down syndrome.
For example, your outcome could indicate a 1 in 300 chance. This means that only one in every 300 babies with the fluid measurement your baby had had a congenital condition.
There is also a possibility that if your baby has a large NT measurement and your blood results are in the normal range, your baby may be larger than average.
Now that you know how an NT scan works and what is considered normal, let’s look at another question posed by expectant parents.
Abnormal NT Scan Report Sample
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What to do if the NT scan is abnormal?
An abnormal NT scan may create a sense of fear and panic in most parents, and it is a normal response. Knowing that your baby may be in distress can be hard and painful. However, it is important to understand that no abnormal NT scan guarantees chromosomal or congenital conditions.
NT screenings can detect approximately 70% of trisomy 21, or Down syndrome, cases on their own. When combined with first-trimester blood tests, the accuracy of predicting conditions rises to around 95%. The majority of healthcare providers combine a standard NT ultrasound with blood screenings.
If your NT scan result turns out abnormal, your healthcare provider will further recommend some tests to understand your baby’s health better and explain all your medical options to help you make informed decisions.
This brings us to the final question for today’s blog, we often get this other question from expectant parents, which is –
Does an abnormal NT Scan cause an abnormal anomaly scan?
No, an abnormal NT scan report does not mean your anomaly scan will be abnormal. The NT scan is a type of ultrasound that is used to assess your developing baby’s risk of having Down syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities. An anomaly scan looks for any abnormalities in your baby’s body parts.
While a chromosomal abnormality may alter the baby’s physical appearance in varying degrees, a congenital heart condition observed during an NT scan may not show any abnormality with the baby’s body parts during an anomaly scan.
We hope we have answered most of your questions surrounding an abnormal NT scan report. For any further information, get in touch with your healthcare provider. Or contact us at Jammi Scans to schedule an appointment.
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