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

AbstractPurposeTo determine the association of increased NT with varies anomalies in the 1st trimester by 4D ultrasound.Patient and methodsTwo 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<3.5mm, group II NT between 3.5 and 4.4mmandgroup III NT>4.4mm. Statistical analysis was done using Chi-square test for qualitative data between the three groups with significant correlation at p value⩽0.05.ResultsOut of 200 pregnant women, 30 was missed follow-up while 159livebirth 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 3.5–4.4mmand ⩾4.5mm. The most common heart defect anomalies were VSD (13 fetuses); retro-gnathia was found in 13 fetuses and hydronephrosis in 12 fetuses.Conclusion4D ultrasound measurement of NT is of utmost importance in evaluation of increased NT and associated fetal anomalies