Nuchal translucent is a test used to measure the amount of fluid in the area of the fetus’ neck, which is performed during an ultrasound, performed between week 11 and 14 of gestation.This test is used to calculate the risk of your baby having a malformation or syndrome, such as Down syndrome.
When malformations or genetic diseases occur, the fetus tends to accumulate fluid in the nape of the neck, so increasing the measurement of nuchal translucency above 2.5 mm means that there may be some change in its development.
- Thus.
- The measurement of altered nuchal transglycability does not confirm that the baby has a disease or genetic malformation.
- Indicating only the greatest risk of these alterations and.
- In this case.
- The obstetrician will request more tests such as amniocentesis.
- For example.
- To confirm the diagnosis or not.
The price of the test ranges from 110 to 400 reais, depending on the clinic where it is performed, but, at the request of the obstetrician, in a prenatal consultation, it can be performed by the SUS without charge.
Nuchal transglycability is performed during one of the prenatal ultrasounds, and at that time your doctor measures the size and amount of fluid in the area behind your baby’s neck, without any other special procedures.
Nuchal clarity values can be
A higher-value test does not guarantee that the baby will be disturbed, but it does indicate that there is an increased risk and therefore the obstetrician will request further tests, such as amniocentesis, which collects samples of amniotic fluid, or cordocentesis., which evaluates a blood sample of the umbilical cord.Learn more about making amniocentesis or cordocentesis.
If there is also no absence of nasal bones during ultrasound, the risk of certain malformations increases further, as the nasal bone is usually absent in cases of syndromes.
In addition to nuchal translucency, the mother’s age and family history of chromosomal changes or genetic diseases are also important for calculating the risk of the baby having any of these changes.
This test should be performed between week 11 and 14 of gestation, as this is the case when the fetus is between 45 and 84 mm in length and it is possible to calculate the measure of nuchal clarity.
It can also be known with the morphological ultrasound of the first trimester, as in addition to measuring the baby’s neck, it can also identify malformations of bones, heart and blood vessels.
Find out what other tests are needed during the first trimester of pregnancy.