The clinical relevance of fetal nuchal translucency

There has been an increase in the use of fetal ultrasound in the first trim ester over the last few years. This paper reviews the published literature on first trimester fetal nuchal translucency. Increased nuchal translucency (NT) may identify more than 80% of chromosomal anomalies for a false-posit ive rate of about 5 %. Another potential of early NT measurement lies in th e detection of other fetal anomalies like structural defects, genetic disor ders, or early fetal hydrops and may present an early sign of twin-twin tra nsfusion syndrome in monochorionic pregnancies. The association of fetal NT and main fetal disorders is reviewed. The clinical prenatal management opt ions for parents regarding the early detection of high-risk groups and the detection of fetal anomalies are discussed.