Home About us Editorial board Search Ahead of print Current issue Archives Submit article Instructions Subscribe Contacts Login 
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Year : 2015  |  Volume : 28  |  Issue : 1  |  Page : 245-249

The value of nuchal translucency measurement as an early predictor of congenital fetal malformation


Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufiya University, Menoufia, Egypt

Correspondence Address:
Mahy Nabil Mahmoud Egiz
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufiya University, 2 Salah Abo Elkher Street, Shebien Elkom, Menoufia
Egypt
Login to access the Email id

Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


DOI: 10.4103/1110-2098.156002

Rights and Permissions

Objective The aim of the study was to estimate the value of the nuchal translucency (NT) measurement during the period from 10th to 14th week of gestation in predicting the possibility of congenital malformation in these fetuses. Background First-trimester screening is typically conducted between the 11th and 13th weeks 6 days of gestation. At this time, NT, free b-subunits of human chorionic gonadotropin (fB-hCG), and nasal bone are powerful markers for detection of fetal conditions. Methods The present study was carried out at the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Menoufyia University Hospital during the period between 2012 and 2014. A total of 120 women were included in the study. The studied patients were divided into two groups. Thorough history taking, full examination, routine laboratory investigations, hCG, and pregnancy-associated plasma protein A were taken. Ultrasound was performed to detect NT. The collected data were organized, tabulated, and statistically analyzed using SPSS software computer package. For quantitative data, mean, minimum, maximum, and SD were calculated and comparison between two means was performed; for qualitative data, number and percent distribution were calculated and comparison between two groups was performed. A normal value of NT is usually less than 2.5-3.0 mm in thickness; assessment of the biochemical markers and their correlation with malformed fetuses number was performed, and past history was taken from mother. Results The total number of women enrolled in the study was 120; four of 11 cases with congenital fetal malformation were with positive family history. NT in the affected fetuses with a mean 2.65 mm in the first group and 3.3 mm in the second group reflects a highly significant relationship. The cutoff point of NT is 2.55 mm with a sensitivity 73.6% and specificity 80.3%, whereas combined NT, B-hCG, and pregnancy-associated plasma protein A has 100% sensitivity and 35.8% specificity. Conclusion Prenatal screening has become now an integral part of obstetric care and raises the responsibility and awareness of neonatal care. Most women prefer to undergo screening first to find out whether the fetus's risk for birth defect is high.


[FULL TEXT] [PDF]*
Print this article     Email this article
 Next article
 Previous article
 Table of Contents

 Similar in PUBMED
   Search Pubmed for
   Search in Google Scholar for
 Related articles
 Citation Manager
 Access Statistics
 Reader Comments
 Email Alert *
 Add to My List *
 * Requires registration (Free)
 

 Article Access Statistics
    Viewed5889    
    Printed54    
    Emailed0    
    PDF Downloaded159    
    Comments [Add]    

Recommend this journal