What is NT Scan?
The growth scan, or positioning scan, is an ultrasound that is done to assess the baby’s growth and development. It is typically carried out between 23 and 40 weeks of pregnancy.
This scan measures the baby’s head circumference, abdomen circumference, and thigh bone measurements allowing the doctor to estimate the fetal weight.
All the measurements are plotted on a chart against the normal range to assess the fetal growth in your third-trimester scan. Because babies grow at different rates from week to week, a series of scans can be more helpful than just one.
NT Scan at Jammi Scans
Why is NT Scan important?
NT Scan is one of the most important prenatal screening that is done to determine the chances of the fetus having any chromosomal abnormalities and birth defects.
What happens if an NT scan is normal?
NT scan normal range must be less than 3.5 mm. If you get a normal NT Scan report, it means that your baby has low risks of having chromosomal abnormalities.
What happens if an NT scan is abnormal?
If the NT Scan report is abnormal, that is if the nuchal thickness is over 3.5 mm, then your gynecologist will suggest further interventions such as amniocentesis, and CVS to make informed decisions.
Is NT scan 100% accurate?
No. NT scan is not 100% in detecting the baby’s risk of having chromosomal abnormalities. However, NT scan is usually combined with a test called double marker test. Both of these tests together are around 85% accurate.
If your NT scan report is abnormal, your doctor would recommend further screening including NIPT, Amniocentesis and CVS.
What is Double Marker Test?
Is a Double Marker Test Necessary After an NT Scan?
The double marker is a mandatory test and may be recommended by your gynecologist.
The NT scan gives information about the risk of chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus, whereas the double marker test provides extra information about your pregnancy.
What do we check during NT scan?
During the ultrasound scan, we measure the thickness of the nuchal fold. Nuchal fold is the normal skin fold that is present in the back of the fetus’s neck.
If the nuchal thickness is less than 3.5 mm, it means that the baby has low risks of chromosomal abnormalities.
But if the thickness is more than 3.5 mm, it means the results are abnormal and you would require further intervention.
If the NT scan is normal, will the double marker test also be normal?
Not necessarily. Sometimes, the NT scan report can be normal but the double marker test can be positive. In such cases, your doctor might prescribe for further intervention such as CVS and amniocentesis.
How to read NT scan reports?
Usually, the NT Scan report has details about the mother such as name, age, blood group and LMP (Last Menstrual Period). It also contains the baby’s measurements such as CRL (Crown-rump length) that indicates the length of the baby, BPD (biparietal diameter) – the diameter of the baby’s head; HC (head circumference); and AC, that refers to the Fetal abdominal circumference.
The main section is the NT scan measurements which is usually measured in mm. If the measurement is below 3.5mm, it means the report is normal. Usually, it is mentioned in the report as normal.
Incase of abnormal measurements, that is over 3.5mm, it would be mentioned as “increased nuchal translucency” in the report with the measurements in mm.
NT scan Price in Chennai
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Frequently Asked Questions
01. What is the normal range of the NT scan?
NT scan normal range must be less than 3.5 mm.
02. What is the difference between NT scan and anomaly scan?
NT scan is carried out around 11 to 14 weeks of gestation to measure the amount of fluid behind the baby’s neck. NT scan is performed to check if the baby’s chances of having chromosomal abnormalities including down syndrome, and trisomy 18.
Anomaly Scan on the other hand is performed around 20 to 24 weeks of gestation. In an anomaly scan, you see the baby and the doctor checks if the baby has any anomalies in the baby. This means, the scan checks if the baby has any growth defects
03. Is it OK to skip NT scan?
No. It is recommended to not skip NT scan or other prenatal scans and appointments to ensure the baby’s health.
04. Is NT Scan painful?
NT scans are usually not painful.
05. How long do NT scan results take?
NT Scan results are usually provided on the same day. The double marker test report will be available within a day or two of taking the test.
