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The Benefits Of Having An NT Scan In Pregnancy

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Mother and Fetus Medical Group
The Benefits Of Having An NT Scan In Pregnancy

If you have lately discovered that you are pregnant, you will have quite a lot of doctor appointments and screenings from now until the delivery of the baby. Prenatal screenings can find out issues with your health, such as gestational diabetes or anemia. In addition, screenings suggested by an expert for maternal fetal medicine can even keep an eye on the health of the baby in the womb, and help find out chromosomal abnormalities.


Pregnancy screenings take place during the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd trimesters. The 1sttrimester screening is a kind of prenatal testing that provides the doctor with the initial information regarding the health of the baby - namely the risk for chromosome abnormalities of the baby. An NT (Nuchal Translucency) scan is designed to screen the baby for such abnormalities. This test is normally scheduled between the weeks eleven and thirteen of pregnancy.


The purpose of an NT scan

An NT scan is one of the very common screening tests that take place during the 1st trimester of pregnancy. This test measures the size of the clear tissue, which is known as the nuchal translucency, at the back of the neck of the baby.


It is not uncommon for a fetus to have clear space or fluid at the back of their neck. But too much clear space can be a sign of Down syndrome, or might demonstrate one more chromosome abnormality such as Edwards syndrome or Patau syndrome.


NT scan in Sharjah is an ultrasound that is carried out to measure the amount of fluid at the back of the neck of the baby in the 1st trimester of pregnancy. A small amount of fluid is normal, and measuring the amount of fluid can help estimate the possibilities of the baby to have a chromosomal or genetic variant. NT scan is a screening test - it does not diagnose a condition. It simply helps he healthcare provider to find out if the baby is at risk and if further tests are supposed to be recommended or carried out during this stage of pregnancy.


There are a lot of cells in the human body, including a nucleus. The nucleus holds the genetic material. In the majority of cases, the nucleus has 2 pairs of chromosomes, which are equally inherited from both mother and father. Every fetal medicine specialist suggests that the ones born with Down syndrome have an additional copy of chromosome 21. Down syndrome, which can’t be cured, causes progressive delays and distinct physical characteristics.


These consist of:

a.     Low muscle tone

b.     Eyes with an upward slant

c.     A small stature


This condition has an effect on 1 in every 700 babies born in the United States. It is considered as one of the most common genetic conditions. Edwards syndrome and Patau syndrome are rare and usually fatal chromosome abnormalities. Unluckily, the majority of babies born with such abnormalities die within the 1st year of life.


A higher NT measurement may even be an indication of an increased possibility for congenital heart conditions. The results of the NT scan can help to find out if the baby is expected or doubtful to have such conditions. At the time of NT scan in pregnancy in UAE, the ultrasound also screens for a few rudimentary anatomical structures of the unborn baby, which is also known as fetus. Other anomalies recognized at the time of NT may add to the possibility for structural or genetic conditions.


When is an NT scan scheduled during pregnancy?

The health care provider carries out an NT scan when the baby is between eleven and thirteen weeks of gestation or when the baby is between 45 mm and 84 mm from their crown (top of their head) to rump (bottom of their torso). This is for the reason that the fluid at the back of the neck of the baby has a tendency of getting reabsorbed by the body after fourteen weeks of gestation. This makes it complicated to estimate later in pregnancy. NT scans are usually carried out as part of a 1st trimester screening test.


In addition, this scan can even consist of blood work in order to gauge the levels of plasma protein and HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), which is a maternal hormone. Abnormal levels of either may point to a chromosome issue.


How does an NT Scan work?

At the time of screening, a technician or the maternal fetal medicine doctor in Alain will take an abdominal ultrasound. On the other hand, you could have a transvaginal test, where an ultrasound probe is injected through the vagina.


An ultrasound makes use of sound of high frequency waves with the purpose of creating an image from inside the body. From this visual, the technician or the doctor measures the translucency, or clear space, at the back of the neck of the baby in the womb. That can then enter the date of birth or again a computer program in order to compute the possibility of the baby having an abnormality.


Keep in mind that an NT test is not designed to detect Down syndrome or any other chromosome abnormality. The scan just forecasts the risk. Have a word with the doctor regarding available blood tests. They can even help evaluate the risk of the baby.


As with any calculation, the precision rate differs. If you merge an NT test with blood testing, the screening is about 90 percent precise for forecasting the possibility of Down syndrome. If you do not merge blood testing with the NT test, the precision rate drops to 70 percent.


Getting prepared for the NT scan

For an NT scan, no special preparation is needed. In the majority of cases, testing is finished in about thirty minutes. During the scan, you will lie down on an exam table as the technician moves an ultrasound wand over the stomach.


The ultrasound pictures may be simpler to read if your bladder is full, so the doctor may recommend drinking water about an hour prior to the appointment. The ultrasound technician needs access to the lower abdomen, so ensure that you wear comfortable clothing that makes it accessible.


Results from the NT scan may be available on the same day of testing, and the specialist for fetal medicine may converse the results with you prior to you leave. It is essential to keep in mind that getting an abnormal result from an NT scan does not essentially signify that the baby has a chromosome issue. In the same way, normal test results can’t promise that the baby will not be born with Down syndrome.

The majority of healthcare providers can understand the NT scan on the same day. Blood work collected from the 1st trimester screening will take at least a few days or weeks to return. The majority of healthcare providers will wait until they have the entire results to find out if the baby is at risk.


To conclude

An NT scan is a safe, non-invasive test that does not cause any harm to you and the baby in the womb. Always take into account that this 1st trimester screening is recommended, but it is optional. A few women skip this specific test for the reason that they do not want to recognize their risk. Always have a word with the doctor if you experience anxiety, or are worried about how the results might have an effect on you.


If you are also looking to get an NT scan in Sharjah, look no further than visiting Mothers & Fetuses!

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