Nuchal Scan

What is the Nuchal Scan?

The Nuchal Scan is a vital pregnancy ultrasound carried out between 11 weeks + 3 days and 13 weeks + 6 days. Typically performed transabdominally, it may sometimes require a transvaginal approach. This scan is highly recommended for all pregnant women as it helps assess the baby’s development and screen for potential chromosomal conditions.

What are the aims of the Nuchal Scan?

• Accurate Pregnancy Dating: Essential for women with irregular cycles, unclear last period dates, or conceptions during breastfeeding or after stopping contraceptives.
• Detecting Multiple Pregnancy: Identifies if multiple babies are present and evaluates whether they share the same placenta, which requires closer monitoring.
• Diagnosing Major Fetal Abnormalities: Some significant abnormalities can be detected, though a 20-week anomaly scan is still necessary.
• Identifying Early Miscarriages: Sadly, in some cases, the fetus may have stopped developing weeks before without warning, and appropriate counselling will be provided.
• Assessing Chromosomal Condition Risks: Estimates the likelihood of conditions like Down’s Syndrome, Edwards’ Syndrome, and Patau’s Syndrome based on maternal age, blood tests, and scan findings.

What if the Nuchal Scan Indicates an Increased Risk?

The scan is a screening test that estimates probabilities, not a diagnostic tool. If there is an increased risk, further options like NIPT, CVS, or amniocentesis will be recommended.

What Comes After the Nuchal Scan?

If the results indicate a low probability, the next recommended scan is the anomaly scan at around 20 weeks.