Nuchal transglycability is a test used to measure the amount of fluid in the neck area of the fetus, this is done by ultrasound between week 11 and 14 gestation, this test is used to calculate the risk of the baby developing some malformation of the syndrome, such as Down syndrome.
When there are malformations or genetic diseases, the fetus tends to accumulate fluid in the neck area, so if the measure of external nuchal transglycability increases by more than 2. 5 mm, it means that there may be a developmental alteration.
- In this way.
- Measuring altered nuchal transglycability does not confirm that the baby has a disease or genetic malformation.
- Only indicates the increased risk of these alterations and.
- In this case.
- The obstetrician may request other tests such as amniocentesis.
- For example.
- To confirm by rejecting the diagnosis.
Neck transglycability occurs during part of prenatal ultrasound, and at that time your doctor measures the size and amount of fluid in your baby’s neck area, without the need for any other special procedure.
The reference values for nuchal translucency can be
A result with an increased value does not guarantee that the baby will be disturbed, but it does indicate that there is an increased risk, so the obstetrician may request more tests, such as amniocentesis, which takes a sample of amniotic fluid, cordocentesis, which evaluates a blood sample from the umbilical cord.
If there is also a lack of nasal discharge during ultrasound, the risk of certain malformations increases further, as nasal discharge is usually absent in cases of syndromes.
In addition to the clarity of the nape of the neck, the mother’s age and family history of chromosomal changes or genetic disorders are also important when calculating the risk of the baby developing any of these changes.
This test should be performed between week 11 and 14 of gestation, as the fetus is between 45 and 84 mm wide and the measure of nuchal clarity can be calculated.
This study is also known as the first trimester morphological ultrasound of the year, which in addition to measuring the baby’s neck, also helps identify malformations of the blood, heart and blood vessels.