Research article summary (published 19 Nov 2008):

Nuchal translucency thickness in euploid fetuses: is two millimeters too risky?

Full Abstract

We sought to determine whether nuchal translucency (NT) thickness of >or= 2 mm poses a risk for adverse perinatal outcome. A prospective observational study was conducted including all singleton pregnancies undergoing NT screening between 11 and 13.6 weeks' gestation, from January 1999 to October 2006, in a University Medical Center. Aneuploid and malformed fetuses were excluded from the analysis, as well as fetuses from pregnancies that ended before 22 gestational weeks. A comparison was performed between fetuses with NT of >or= 2 mm and those with NT < 2 mm. Stratified analyses using the Mantel-Haenszel technique and multivariable analyses were performed to control for confounders. A total of 2205 singleton fetuses with normal karyotype were evaluated during the study period. Of these, 2.0% ( N = 45) had NT of 2 mm and above. Pregnancies with NT of >or= 2 mm were significantly associated with diabetes mellitus (either gestational or pregestational; odds ratio [OR] = 2.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02 to 5.1; P = 0.023). Higher rates of perinatal mortality (OR = 17.5, 95% CI 4.5 to 61.8; P < 0.001) and stillbirth in particular (OR = 25.6, 95% CI 4.9 to 120.7; P < 0.001) were noted among pregnancies with NT >or= 2 mm. Using a multivariable analysis and controlling for confounders such as diabetes mellitus and the crown-rump length, NT >or= 2 mm was found to be an independent risk factor for perinatal mortality (adjusted OR 14.3; 95% CI 1.8 to 3.5; P < 0.001). Nuchal translucency thickness of >or= 2 mm in euploid, anatomically normal fetuses poses a significant risk for adverse perinatal outcome.

Author information

Author/s: Fink, Miriam (M); Sheiner, Eyal (E); Sheizaf, Boaz (B); Hershkovitz, Reli (R); Bashiri, Asher (A); Mazor, Moshe (M); Wiznitzer, Arnon (A);

Affiliation: Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Comparative Study; Journal Article

Journal: American journal of perinatology (Am J Perinatol), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Apr; vol 26 (issue 4) : pp 303-7

Dates: Created 2009/03/23; Completed 2009/07/07;

PMID: 19031359, status: MEDLINE (last retrieved date: 7/24/2009)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MeSH Headings (categories) shown below.

Adult Cohort Studies Confidence Intervals Congenital Abnormalities - diagnosis; epidemiology Crown-Rump Length Female Fetal Development - physiology Follow-Up Studies Gestational Age Humans Infant, Newborn Infant, Newborn, Diseases - diagnosis; epidemiology Maternal Age

Multivariate Analysis Nuchal Translucency Measurement Odds Ratio Parity Perinatal Mortality - trends Pregnancy Pregnancy Outcome Prenatal Care - methods Probability Prospective Studies Risk Assessment Sensitivity and Specificity Ultrasonography, Prenatal

Note: Bold headings indicate primary MeSH headings or qualifiers.

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