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Nuchal Translucency Scan

This test is based on an ultrasound scan at about 12 weeks and has now been evaluated in studies of over 200,000 women. It has been found to have a high detection rate across all mothers’ ages. The scanning centre is licensed and quality controlled by the Fetal Medicine Foundation in London who have pioneered this new approach to screening. All scans are performed by a Consultant Obstetrician.

By measuring the thickness of tissue fluid that lies under the skin at the back of the baby’s neck, the Nuchal Translucency, a computer programme can convert this, the length of the baby and the mothers age into a risk for Down’s Syndrome for that baby. Because it is based on the appearance of an individual baby, the technique can also be used in twins and triplets etc, to give a risk for each baby. The test has a detection rate of 75% based on scan alone rising to nearly 90% in single pregnancies if blood markers (PAPP-A and free B-hCG) are also measured in a sample of blood taken from the pregnant woman’s arm at the time of the scan. If the hCG is high and the PAPP-A is low this increases the risk of Down’s Syndrome.

A Nuchal translucency scan can be performed between 11 weeks and 13 weeks and 6 days.