The diagnostic performance of 4D ultrasound in nuchal translucency and anomalies association

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the association of increased NT with varies anomalies in the 1st trimester by 4D ultrasound. Patient and methods: Two hundred selected women with viable pregnancies were recruited in this prospective study. All underwent 4D ultrasound at 11–14 completed weeks of gestation for NT measurement. They were classified into 3 groups according to NT thickness: Group I NT 4.4 mm. Statistical analysis was done using Chi-square test for qualitative data between the three groups with significant correlation at p value ⩽ 0.05. Results: Out of 200 pregnant women, 30 was missed follow-up while 159 live birth and 11 pregnancies were terminated by abortion postnatal (n = 2), spontaneous (n = 3) or artificial (n = 6). The highest median maternal age and fetal gestational age were found in group I. The higher frequencies of congenital anomalies were found in fetuses with NT 3.5–4.4 mm and ⩾4.5 mm. The most common heart defect anomalies were VSD (13 fetuses); retro-gnathia was found in 13 fetuses and hydronephrosis in 12 fetuses. Conclusion: 4D ultrasound measurement of NT is of utmost importance in evaluation of increased NT and associated fetal anomalies.

Keywords

• 4D ultrasound
• NT measurement
• Associated anomalies