Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2003 Nov;46(11):2151-2155.

Clinical Outcomes of Increased Nuchal Translucency in Three Years

• Kim MH
• Park SH
• Cha SH
• Kim YJ
• Moon MJ
• Chung JH
• Choi JS
• Kim JO
• Shin JS
• Ahn HK
• Han JY
• Ryu HM
• Yang JH
• Choi KH
• Lee YH
• Kim MY

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the relationship between increased nuchal translucency (NT) and abnormal pregnancy outcomes.
METHODS
From January 1999 to December 2001, The 298 fetuses of increased nuchal translucency (>or=2.5 mm) in period of 10-14 weeks gestation were reviewed retrospectively. Amniocentesis and high resolution ultrasonography during second trimester were done for all cases. We analyzed septation within NT, karyotypes, structural anomalies, and adverse pregnancy outcomes such as spontaneous abortion, intrauterine fetal death and preterm delivery.
RESULTS
The mean age of the patients was 30.5 +/- 3.5 years. The mean gestational age and CRL were 12.5 +/- 0.95 weeks and 6.5 +/- 1.15 mm. We observed 18 (6%) cases of abnormal karyotypes. 7/46 (15.2%) fetuses with internal septation had abnormal karyotype and 11/252 (4.4%) fetuses without internal septation had abnormal karyotype (p=0.013). Among the 280 fetuses with normal karyotype, 8 (2.8%) fetuses had structural anomalies and 18 (6.4%) fetuses had adverse pregnancy outcomes. The chromosomal abnormality and structural anomaly were significantly increased in the group of nuchal translucency thickness above 3.5 mm (p=0.001).
CONCLUSION
Increased nuchal translucency is related with chromosomal abnormality and abnormal pregnancy outcomes.

Keyword

Nuchal translucency; Chromosomal abnormality; Abnormal pregnancy outcome

MeSH Terms

Abnormal Karyotype
Abortion, Spontaneous
Amniocentesis
Chromosome Aberrations
Female
Fetal Death
Fetus
Gestational Age
Humans
Karyotype
Nuchal Translucency Measurement*
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Outcome
Pregnancy Trimester, Second
Retrospective Studies
Ultrasonography