A nuchal scan or nuchal translucency (NT) scan / procedure is a sonographic prenatal screening scan (ultrasound) to detect chromosomal abnormalities in a fetus, though altered extracellular matrix composition and limited lymphatic drainage can also be detected. If you’re pregnant, your doctor might have mentioned an NT scan or first-trimester screening. An NT scan is a simple test that shows your baby’s risk for some genetic conditions.

Context Explanation

What Is an NT Scan ... The nuchal (say "NEW-kuhl") translucency screening is a test done during pregnancy. It uses ultrasound to measure the thickness of the fluid buildup at the back of the developing baby's neck. NT screening is a high-resolution ultrasound examination of the baby’s nuchal area (a fold of skin at the back of the neck).

Insight Material

The results are combined with maternal age to determine the risk for Down syndrome. Nuchal (“NEW-kuhl”) translucency (NT) is a type of prenatal ultrasound that measures the amount of fluid behind the fetus’s neck in the first trimester of pregnancy. The fluid underneath the skin along the back of the fetus’s neck, called the nuchal translucency, or nuchal fold. In some pregnancies, when the fetus has Down syndrome, trisomy 13 or trisomy 18, there is extra fluid behind the neck. The term “nuchal” is a medical and anatomical descriptor used to identify structures or conditions associated with a specific area of the body.

Final Conclusion

It allows healthcare professionals to pinpoint the region of the neck without ambiguity. Wondering what a nuchal translucency ultrasound is? Find out from experts what happens during this prenatal test, how to schedule an appointment and how to understand your results.