Open AccessThe prognosis of fetuses with transient nuchal translucency in the first and early second trimester
Author(s) -
Fukada Yukihito,
Yasumizu Takehiko,
Takizawa Motoi,
Amemiya Atsuhito,
Hoshi Kazuhiko
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.3109/00016349709034901
Subject(s) - medicine , nuchal translucency , nuchal translucency measurement , fetus , gestation , gestational age , pregnancy , obstetrics , gynecology , prenatal diagnosis , genetics , biology
Objective. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognosis of fetuses with transient nuchal translucency before 15 weeks of gestation. Study design. A nuchal translucency's measurement of >5 mm was considered abnormal. In the period from 1994 to 1995, twelve fetuses were diagnosed at our institution with nuchal translucency. The fetuses all underwent karyotyping and a complete ultrasonographic search for any associated anomalies and a resolution of nuchal translucency at 1‐2 week gestational age intervals. Results. Five cases (‘Transient NT’) demonstrated transient nuchal translucency. Seven cases (‘Persistent NT’) demonstrated persistent nuchal translucency. The 984 cases with no or less than 5 mm of nuchal translucency (control group) gave birth at the same time. The mean initial week of diagnosis was 12.0±1.6 weeks in ‘Transient NT’, and 13.6±1.8 weeks in ‘Persistent NT’. The mean maternal age was 30.8±6.3 years old in ‘Transient NT’, 28.9±3.0 years old in ‘Persistent NT’, and 30.5±43 years old in the control group. Abnormal karyotypes were detected in one case in ‘Transient NT’, and in four cases in ‘Persistent NT’. Structural malformations were detected in two cases (40%) in ‘Transient NT’, seven cases (100%) in ‘Persistent NT’, and 30 cases (3.0%) in the control group. Conclusions. Regardless of the spontaneous resolution of abnormal nuchal translucency, there was a high association with both karyotypical and structural abnormalities, and the prognosis of such cases was generally poor, especially persistent NT's prognosis.