When is the best time to do NT

nt refers to the cervical translucency, which is an index of the maximum thickness between the skin and subcutaneous soft tissue at the level of the fetal cervical spine. When conducting this kind of inspection, the main focus is on this indicator for inspection and measurement. At present, the inspection of this indicator is relatively popular in some advanced foreign countries. However, it has not yet been fully and widely carried out in my country, and has not yet been used as an industry entry standard. This examination is a B-ultrasound examination item and does not require fasting during the examination. The best time to check is between 11 and 14 weeks of pregnancy. The significance of the examination is that the detection rate of Down syndrome is increased to more than 85%.

The best time to do NT examination

Because the fetus is too small to observe the nuchal translucency before 11 weeks of pregnancy, and the fetus gradually develops after 14 weeks of pregnancy, it may absorb excess fluid from the nuchal translucency and affect the test results. Therefore, it is best for pregnant women to do NT within 11-14 weeks of pregnancy to avoid inaccurate test results.

Nuchal translucency scans are usually performed between 11 and 14 weeks of pregnancy. It is technically difficult to perform NT examinations before 11 weeks because the fetus is still too small. After 14 weeks, the water accumulated under the fetus's skin may be absorbed by the developing lymphatic system, making it impossible to obtain accurate test data. Therefore, pregnant women need to go to the hospital for NT examination within 11 to 14 weeks of pregnancy. Generally, nuchal translucency scan can be performed in tertiary hospitals or large specialized obstetrics and gynecology hospitals.

The significance of NT examination

According to relevant statistics, the detection rate of Down syndrome can reach over 85% through NT examination combined with blood tests. In addition to pregnant women who have already decided to undergo amniocentesis, it is best for pregnant mothers to do maternal blood screening for Down syndrome and fetal nuchal translucency examination to ensure that they give birth to healthy babies.

The purpose of the nuchal translucency test is to diagnose chromosomal diseases and detect fetal abnormalities caused by various reasons in the early stages of pregnancy.

Because research has found that during the 11th to 14th week of pregnancy, if the fetus has Down syndrome or has poor heart development, the nuchal translucency will thicken. Thickening of the nuchal translucency is related to fetal chromosome karyotype, fetal congenital heart disease and other structural malformations. The thicker the nuchal translucency, the greater the probability of fetal abnormalities.