E Hafner1, T Schuller, M Metzenbauer, K Schuchter, K Philipp. 1. Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department Gyn/Obs, Donauspital am SMZ-Ost, Vienna, Austria. erich.hafner@smz.magwien.gv.at
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Increased first-trimester nuchal translucency (NT) is a possible marker for congenital heart defects in euploid fetuses. In this study, we wanted to determine the sensitivity for congenital heart defects using the 95th centile of the NT as a cut-off point. METHODS: All women who booked for delivery in our hospital in the first trimester underwent NT measurement at a crown-rump length (CRL) of between 35 and 75 mm. In all euploid fetuses and newborns with isolated or associated CHD, NT was examined retrospectively and classified as normal (<95th centile according to CRL-dependent centiles in our own data) or increased (> or =95th centile). RESULTS: From a total of 12,978 euploid fetuses screened, 27 had CHD (22 isolated and 5 cases associated with additional malformations). Moreover, 7 of the 27 fetuses also had increased NT (26%). Increased NT was significantly more frequent in fetuses with associated CHD (4/5) than in those with isolated CHD (3/22, Yates corrected chi2 p=0.012). In fact, the relative risk for CHD was 6.6 times higher in fetuses with increased NT compared to those with normal NT. CONCLUSION: Increased NT for the detection of CHD performed less well than in other studies. Nevertheless, it can be used as an indication for fetal echocardiography. Copyright 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
OBJECTIVE: Increased first-trimester nuchal translucency (NT) is a possible marker for congenital heart defects in euploid fetuses. In this study, we wanted to determine the sensitivity for congenital heart defects using the 95th centile of the NT as a cut-off point. METHODS: All women who booked for delivery in our hospital in the first trimester underwent NT measurement at a crown-rump length (CRL) of between 35 and 75 mm. In all euploid fetuses and newborns with isolated or associated CHD, NT was examined retrospectively and classified as normal (<95th centile according to CRL-dependent centiles in our own data) or increased (> or =95th centile). RESULTS: From a total of 12,978 euploid fetuses screened, 27 had CHD (22 isolated and 5 cases associated with additional malformations). Moreover, 7 of the 27 fetuses also had increased NT (26%). Increased NT was significantly more frequent in fetuses with associated CHD (4/5) than in those with isolated CHD (3/22, Yates corrected chi2 p=0.012). In fact, the relative risk for CHD was 6.6 times higher in fetuses with increased NT compared to those with normal NT. CONCLUSION: Increased NT for the detection of CHD performed less well than in other studies. Nevertheless, it can be used as an indication for fetal echocardiography. Copyright 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Authors: Roberta De Domenico; Marianna Faraci; Entela Hyseni; Fosca A F Di Prima; Oriana Valenti; Santo Monte; Elsa Giorgio; Eliana Renda Journal: J Prenat Med Date: 2011-04