Premium
FETAL OUTCOME IN NUCHAL TRANSLUCENCY WITH EMPHASIS ON NORMAL FETAL KARYOTYPE
Author(s) -
CHA'BAN FIRAS K.,
VAN SPLUNDER PAULA,
LOS FRANS J.,
WLADIMIROFF JURIY W.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
prenatal diagnosis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.956
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1097-0223
pISSN - 0197-3851
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0223(199606)16:6<537::aid-pd911>3.0.co;2-4
Subject(s) - fetus , karyotype , medicine , aneuploidy , obstetrics , nuchal translucency , prenatal diagnosis , pregnancy , biology , genetics , chromosome , gene
The aim of this study was to evaluate fetal outcome in fetuses with a nuchal translucency thickness of 3 mm or more, with emphasis on those with a normal karyotype. Between 1991 and 1994, a total of 104 pregnancies with suspected ultrasound abnormalities were referred to our prenatal unit for a fetal anomaly scan before 16 weeks of gestation. Of these 104 pregnancies, 54 were referred because of a nuchal translucency thickness of 3 mm or more. Data on these 54 pregnancies will be presented. Karyotyping was performed in all cases. An abnormal karyotype was found in 26/54 (48 per cent) pregnancies. A normal karyotype was established in the remaining 28 pregnancies. In this subset, five associated structural anomalies were detected at the first anomaly scan (9–15 weeks). Two pregnancies were terminated because of isolated nuchal translucency. In four of the continuing 21 pregnancies, additional structural anomalies were detected only at the second anomaly scan (16–20 weeks). Two of these were terminated because of bilateral renal dysplasia and a combination of exomphalos and ectopia cordis. Finally, 19 pregnancies progressed uneventfully and resulted in spontaneous delivery at a median gestational age of 40 weeks. A statistically significant difference in mean nuchal translucency thickness was found between cases with and without associated structural anomalies. This relationship indicates a more pronounced nuchal translucency thickness to be associated with a higher incidence of additional structural anomalies and, as a result, a poorer fetal outcome.