A NT computer package was developed by the London Fetal Medicine Foundation in the s and was based on more than Strict auditing of the NT ultrasound work performed by every accredited practice in the world is undertaken several times a year.
This ensures that the NT scan test is being performed correctly. Recently, the Royal Australian College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has taken over regular auditing of Australian practices. At the end of the first trimester, there is usually a small amount of fluid beneath the skin of the fetus at the back of the head and neck. This fluid is called the nuchal translucency NT , and can be easily and accurately measured to within a tenth of a millimetre.
When there is extra fluid and the NT measurement is thicker than normal, there is an association with chromosomal anomalies such as Down syndrome and some structural abnormalities in the fetus. Not all babies with an increased NT measurement have Down syndrome or any structural abnormality. The extra fluid at the back of the head and neck usually disappears by 18 weeks.
The fluid in itself is not an abnormality and does not harm the baby but may simply be the sign of a potential problem. The baby is measured from head to bottom to determine the crown-rump length and the nuchal translucency is measured.
The images of your baby will appear in black and white on the screen of the ultrasound. The sonographers will have the ultrasound screen angled so they can examine your baby carefully during the scan NHS, But they might be able to turn the screen to show you the moving pictures. You and anyone else with you might be able to hear the heartbeat, as well as the whoosh of the blood flow to your baby.
If there are no anomalies or concerns, the sonographer should be able to let you know the results straight after the scan NHS, b. Where there might be problems, the sonographer might ask one of their colleagues for a second opinion. You might also be offered another test to find out whether there is an issue NHS, You should be given information about any further tests and be invited to discuss your options with your midwife and or a consultant NHS, There is no evidence to suggest that children who were scanned in the womb have been affected badly in any way as a result RCOG, Yet it is worth bearing in mind that modern scans are at a higher frequency than they were a generation ago.
Careful consideration should be given to 3D and 4D images, as the process is more intense. Currently, there is insufficient evidence to confirm that there are no adverse effects RCOG, The screening test for these conditions at this stage of the pregnancy is called the combined test. It usually takes place at the same time as the dating scan and has two parts. Even if you choose not to have the screening test, any scan during your pregnancy may pick up indicators of a condition your baby might have.
Diagnostic tests include amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling CVS. NIPT only involves a blood test and you can have it much earlier in pregnancy than the other tests. However, a diagnostic test would probably still be needed if you wanted to confirm a positive result. You would also need to consider whether a positive result from these tests would affect your decision on whether to continue with the pregnancy.
If they would make no difference to your decision, this might affect your choice on whether to go ahead with these tests Buckley, To find out more about the lived experience of having Down syndrome, have a look at PADS which is written by parents and young people with DS to show the reality of their lives. If you have any concerns or the sonographer finds any anomalies, they have special training to talk with you about what could be a hard and worrying subject.
You will also be offered further scans as sometimes a suspected anomaly is identified but upon closer inspection is found not to be an issue Healthtalk, ; ARC, Our support line offers practical and emotional support with feeding your baby and general enquiries for parents, members and volunteers: We also offer antenatal courses which are a great way to find out more about birth, labour and life with a new baby. Make friends with other parents-to-be and new parents in your local area for support and friendship by seeing what NCT activities are happening nearby.
Buckley S. Department of Health and Social Care. Payne J. Antenatal care for uncomplicated pregnancies, Clinical guideline [CG62]. If your risk level is high Our ultrasound specialists are extremely experienced in performing scans for women in pregnancy and take time and great care to explain what is happening. If your ultrasound scan indicates a risk of abnormal development your sonographer will answer your questions and explain the context.
The test can only provide an indication of risk and there are further tests that offer a more accurate assessment. These allow a close analysis of foetal chromosomes as a screen for genetic abnormalities, and require a simple blood sample taken from your arm, so it is perfectly safe. For more information on these, please follow the links above. Invasive tests such as chorionic villus sampling CVS or amniocentesis are usually not required, but some parents do wish to have these when clarification is sought.
These involve the insertion of a fine needle to draw cells from the amniotic fluid surrounding a baby in the case of amniocentesis or from the chorion, or the sheath surrounding the amniotic sac in the case of chorionic villus sampling. The chromosomes in these cells can then be analysed. These tests are highly accurate but they do carry a small risk to the pregnancy.
We do not offer these tests at The Medical Chambers Kensington. Ear, Nose and Throat. GP General Practice. French and French Speaking Doctors in London. Non-Invasive Prenatal Tests.
0コメント