Nuchal Translucency

A nuchal scan is a sonographic prenatal screening scan (ultrasound) to help identify higher risks of Down syndrome in a fetus

A nuchal scan is a sonographic prenatal screening scan (ultrasound) to help identify higher risks of Down syndrome in a fetus, particularly for older women who have higher risks of such pregnancies. High thickness measurements are also associated with a congenital heart defect.[1] The scan is carried out at 11–13.6 weeks pregnancy and assesses the amount of fluid behind the neck of the fetus - also known as the nuchal fold or 'the nuchal translucency'. Fetuses at risk of Down tend to have a higher amount of fluid around the neck. The scan may also help confirm both the accuracy of the pregnancy dates and the fetal viability. Its high definition imaging may also detect other less common chromosomal abnormalities.

All women, whatever their age, have a small risk of delivering a baby with a physical or Intellectual disability. The nuchal scan helps doctors and midwives to estimate the risk of the fetus having Down syndrome or other defects more accurately than by maternal age alone.

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