OUTCOME OF CHROMOSOMALLY NORMAL LIVEBIRTHS WITH INCREASED FETAL NUCHAL TRANSLUCENCY AT 10-14 WEEKS GESTATION

The aim of this study was to determine the outcome of chromosomally no rmal livebirths with increased fetal nuchal translucency at 10-14 week s' gestation. Clinical follow up of 89 chromosomally normal livebirths that in fetal life had a minimum nuchal translucency thickness of 3.5 mm and a comparison group of 302 infants whose fetal nuchal transluce ncy thickness at 10-14 weeks of gestation was less than 3.5 mm was per formed. Major abnormalities, mainly structural defects of the cardiova scular or skeletal systems, were found in 10.1% (nine of 89) of the gr oup with increased translucency, compared to 2% (five of 302) in those with translucency of less than 3.5 mm (chi(2)=11.9, p<0.001). Delay i n achievement of developmental milestones was observed in one of the i nfants with increased translucency and in one of the comparison group. The findings of this study show that in chromosomally normal fetuses increased nuchal translucency thickness at 10-14 weeks of gestation is a marker for fetal abnormalities including structural defects and gen etic syndromes.