Nuchal scan
Nuchal Scan
A Nuchal Scan (pronounced: /ˈnjuːkəl/), also known as a Nuchal Translucency Scan or NT Scan, is a sonographic prenatal screening scan (ultrasound) performed during the first trimester of pregnancy. The term "nuchal" is derived from the Latin word "nucha", meaning "nape" or "back of the neck".
Procedure
The Nuchal Scan is typically performed between the 11th and 14th week of pregnancy. It measures the fluid at the back of the baby's neck, which can be an indicator of chromosomal abnormalities, including Down Syndrome, Edwards Syndrome, and Patau Syndrome. The scan is non-invasive and poses no harm to the mother or baby.
Interpretation
The results of a Nuchal Scan are combined with the mother's age and results from blood tests to estimate the risk of the baby having a chromosomal abnormality. A larger amount of fluid at the back of the baby's neck can indicate a higher risk.
Related Terms
- Ultrasound: A medical imaging technique used in prenatal screening.
- Chromosomal Abnormalities: Genetic disorders resulting from changes in the number or structure of chromosomes.
- Down Syndrome: A genetic disorder caused by the presence of all or part of a third copy of chromosome 21.
- Edwards Syndrome: A genetic disorder caused by the presence of all or part of an extra 18th chromosome.
- Patau Syndrome: A genetic disorder caused by the presence of all or part of an extra 13th chromosome.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Nuchal scan
- Wikipedia's article - Nuchal scan
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski