Simplified protocol of nuchal translucency measurement: Is it still effective?.
10.5468/ogs.2013.56.5.307
- Author:
Sun Min KIM
1
;
Jong Kwan JUN
Author Information
1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. jhs0927@snu.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Nuchal translucency measurement;
Simplification
- MeSH:
Crown-Rump Length;
Down Syndrome;
Female;
Fetus;
Humans;
Mass Screening;
Nuchal Translucency Measurement;
Pregnant Women;
Prospective Studies;
ROC Curve;
Sensitivity and Specificity
- From:Obstetrics & Gynecology Science
2013;56(5):307-311
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: Nuchal translucency (NT) is the most powerful screening tool for Down syndrome and congenital cardiac anomaly, therefore strict guidelines were established to get accurate NT values. However, to stick to the guideline in all pregnant women is time-consuming and superfluous in majority of low risk population. We undertook this study to investigate whether the simplified protocol enables to select low risk group and is effective in them even if we skip the suggested NT measurement. METHODS: NT and crown-rump length (CRL) were measured prospectively. First, CRL was measured in the ordinary view that was mid-sagittal section of fetus in neutral position, and NT was measured at the same frozen screen (first measured value, 1MV). Then, NT was measured again according to the Fetal Medicine Foundation (FMF) guideline (second measured value, 2MV). RESULTS: There was good correlation between 1MV and 2MV in each case (r = 0.83, P < 0.001). All of the NT values over the 95th percentile in 2MV also belonged to over the 95th percentile in 1MV. NT value of 2 mm in 1MV could be used as a cut-off to obtain over the 95th percentile 2MV by receiver operating characteristic curve (sensitivity 100%, specificity 80.5%). The proportion of 1MV > or = 2 mm was only 23.8% of all cases, namely we had only to measure 2MV in 23.8% patients. Every 95th percentile or more 2MV could be detected with this simplified protocol. CONCLUSION: If NT is less than 2 mm at ordinary CRL view, we may skip suggested NT measurement according to FMF guideline.
