[Nuchal translucency measurement--non invasive ultrasound screening for fetal abnormalities. Part I].

OBJECTIVE

Fetal abnormalities are the most common cause of perinatal and postnatal death and infant handicap. In the last years came into being many diagnostic methods making possible--precise and accurate diagnosis of fetal malformation.

DESIGN

Estimation the value of the screening test for fetal abnormalities based on the nuchal translucency measurement between 10-14th week of pregnancy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A group of 675 women with singleton pregnancies undergoing first trimester nuchal translucency measurement. Nuchal translucency thickness was measured by transvaginal ultrasound examination according to Nicolaides. Derived risks were then calculated.

RESULTS

When we used a risk of 1:250 as the cutoff to define a positive result on the screening test, the rate of detection of fetal abnormalities was 100%, with a false positive rate of 1.3%.

CONCLUSION

First trimester nuchal translucency measurement is an effective method of screening for fetal abnormalities (obstetrical high-risk group).