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Antenatal tests

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Original poster

increased NT and non chromosomal issues

17 replies

nancydrewrocked · 25/09/2010 10:34

When I was scanned at 11 weeks the NT was 3.4mm.

I was having a CVS anyway due to DS2 having had Downs and it came back clear for the trisomies although I did not have the full karotype check as this is only offered at my hospital where NT is over 3.5.

I have spoken with my consultant who tells me that an increased NT with no chromosomal abnormality is often indicative of a heart issue.

Has anyone had experience of this?

Has anyone had an increased NT and then given birth to a healthy baby?

My consultant is being very supportive and I have the full anomoly scan and cardiac scan booked for when I am 23 weeks (despite almost begging they wont do it earlier as they say the diffrence between what they can see at even 21 & 23 weeks is so significant that it is not worth doing it earlier).

I know really I just need to wait and see but some reassurance or a reality check would be useful.

Thanks

OP posts:

Mishtabel · 26/09/2010 09:30

Hi, I remember reading you other thread, and first just want to say I'm so sorry for the loss of your little boy.
I also had a previous DS pregnancy (though I chose not to go ahead with mine). I now have a healthy 8 month old baby girl who had a NT of 3.0mm - no chromosome or heart issues. When I was told the NT, I immediately booked a CVS without waiting for the blood results, assuming that history was repeating. When I arrived for the CVS though, the consultant pretty much insisted on phoning up for the blood results as he said that a NT of 3.0, in the vast majority of cases, meant nothing whatsoever, even with my history. I know yours was 3.4, but that's less than half a mm difference, and if the head isn't in 100% neutral position, this reading can easily be out somewhat. I've also heard and read many stories from people with much higher NT results, that have turned out to be absolutely fine. I know it's natural to worry, especially with your history, but I hope this helps you in some way. Take care xx

NanBullen · 26/09/2010 09:51

my baby had a nt of 3.7 at the 12 week scan. i had a cvs and no chromasomal issues (had the full karotype checked). since then i have had a fetal heart scan (at about 18 weeks i think) it took over an hour and nothing unusual detected. they also sent a dvd of the scan to gt ormond st to be checked (they do this as standard apparently) and again no probs detected.

i'm now 22 weeks and have another fetal heart scan at 23 weeks and then a growth scan at 28 weeks (I had the normal 20 week scan that is offered to everybody too, this hospital is very thorough!).

I'm cautiously optimistic that the baby's heart is fine although i obviously won't know for sure until she's born. DH and i are just relieved that the baby has no chromasomal defect. we take the view that any heart problem is probably fixable (the heart specialist told us this, i'm no doctor!)

hth
xx

NanBullen · 26/09/2010 09:55

sorry forgot to ask, have you been offered any otherfetal heart scan before 23 weeks? when i had the 18 week scan the doctor said that she could see quite a lot and it really put my mind at rest.

Original poster

nancydrewrocked · 26/09/2010 10:10

Thanks mishtabel and nan

The problem with all this time waiting is that I cannot help but worry...I'm quite a pragmatic person and I just feel the need to know the facts, whatever those might be.

Also TBH I am quite disassociated with this baby - although I am thrilled to be pregnant I am definitely not thinking in terms of having a baby IYKWIM?

My hospital are not offering anything before 23 weeks - as I say they are sympathetic but they have explained there is just no point as they will only have to get me back for a more thorough later examination and I can understand that.

Part of the issue for me is that although DS2 had Downs we didn't initially know. I had a seemingly normal NT at 12 weeks and combined with my bloods I was given a very low risk, I sailed through an anomoly scan at 19 weeks and it was only a later scan that flagged up that he had fetal hydrops a fatal condition, which the PM confirmed was caused by him having Downs.

I guess I am going to worry whatever I hear - but it is reassuring to hear more an dmore stories where it has worked out.

OP posts:

ClareZee · 26/09/2010 21:37

Hi,

We had a very high nuchal measurement of 6.7mm. Have had the full karotype back and all clear for chromosomal abnormalities. We're now waiting for an early anomoly scan and detailed heart scan in a week's time when I will be 16 weeks pregnant - we're being seen by the Fetal Medicine Unit at St George's in London and were told all along that this would be their next step assuming the CVS came back clear (our local hospital who referred us also said the same). We have been told that it may be too early to tell for certain and it's likely we'll have further scans at 20 weeks but we're hoping to be able to take some encouragement from this first check. I have read stories on here of other mums with very high nuchal measurements - up to 7mm - and the baby has been fine so trying to stay positive. We too are relieved that the CVS came back clear and taking the view that a heart problem would hopefully be fixable.

Good luck to everyone waiting.

XXX

Original poster

nancydrewrocked · 27/09/2010 19:35

Good Luck Clarezee.

I am also under the fetal medicine unit at St. Georges and interestingly they will not be scanning me until 23 weeks...

The waiting is awful isn't it?

OP posts:

ClareZee · 28/09/2010 19:42

Hi nancydrewrocked,

How long have you got to wait? It is hard and now the next scans are a lot closer I'm feeling much more anxious. We have been told we will almost certainly need to be seen again after this appointment to check as the baby grows. I don't know if the fact that our nuchal is so high has had a bearing also.

sophie2907 · 30/01/2011 19:55

I am new to the site but would love some feedback. I had my 12 week scan and was told I had an nt of 3.7 along with some fluid on the abdomen. We went the next day for a CVS and was told they got the measurement as 4.4. We were convinced it would be bad news. Very happily we got the all clear for our little boy. We know now that his heart will need to be checked at the up and coming frequent scans and are extremely apprehensive. We are going back to the hospital on Tuesday so fingers crossed will be nore clear about what scans and when we will have them. We already have 2 girls and our youngest who is turning 7 in a couple of weeks, so obvisously didnt have this type of scan so we cant compare, was born with a Cleft Palate. Does anyone know if a high nt can indicate a Cleft Palate.

ghansell · 31/01/2011 09:47

Hi
I get my cvs results back this coming Friday after a nuchal of 6 mm. I was told that if the chromosomes come back clear then we are off to st Thomas's in London for a detailed scan of the heart then back to my local hospital at 16 weeks for another look at the baby and the the anomaly scan at 18/20 weeks. We have been told 95% chance of something wrong somewhere. Its so hard not to think the worst but I've come to the conclusion that. Can't do anything until we get the results on Friday,I've cried so man times I don't physically have any tears left to cry. So just holding out til Friday now. Also doesn't help when a friend tells you that I'm really showing through my winter coat. She does know I'm pregnant but I'm hoping no one else asks as I will just break down as we haven't told anyone else not even family:(

Bubandbump · 31/01/2011 13:31

We had a nuchal of 5 mm, 1 in 2 for trisomy. The cvs was clear, we had an initial cardiac scan at 16 weeks and the anomaly scan at 21 weeks with another cardiac scan. Everything was clear and we were told that we were now at no higher risk than any other pregnancy. This was at Kings under Nicolaides. It's horrible but it does genuinely seem to be just one of those things sometimes. Of course there are still jiggles at the back of my mind that there could be a reason for it but the stress that we went through with the cvs and the scans means that my baby deserves a non stressed mummy now till it's born so we'll just have to cross that bridge when we get to it. It's hard but there is always hope.

IThinkNot · 31/01/2011 13:56

sophie2907 I had an nt of 3.7 (i'm NanBullen btw, i posted on this thread back in september!) We know from subsequent scans that the baby's heart is fine as far as anyone can tell, growth all fine and they checked for a cleft palate and she doesn't have that either.

I was due last friday but she's late. I just want to meet her now and can honestly say i'm really not as worried as i was that there is anything wrong with her.

IThinkNot · 04/02/2011 13:35

Well, dd was born on wednesday and she is absolutely fine so her increased nt was just one of those things!

ghansell · 04/02/2011 13:58

Congratulations on your baby girl.
Sector our results back yesterday and the cvs came back clear. We are now awaiting a scan appointment in London and then the other detailed scans.

NancyDrewHadaClue · 08/02/2011 20:55

ithink congrats .

I am being induced in 3 weeks if nothing happens before then. I have had 4 scans since my high NT and all is looking perfect.

FannyLogan · 14/02/2011 14:01

Waiting with interest and fingers crossed for you.

I had a 4.6mm nuchal and a clear amnio (incl full karyotype) but also now have polyhydramnios so waiting it out as well....

peelprincess · 30/03/2011 14:54

Fingers crossed for all the ladies who are waiting for their babies to be born after having increased nuchals/bad blood results. After a nuchal of 6.6mm and fluid on her heart plus various additional scans and diagnostic tests, my daughter was born 10 weeks ago and is perfectly healthy. So as difficult as it is (I definitely understand!) please try and enjoy the last part of your pregnancy if you can. x

NatzCNL · 16/04/2011 10:37

Bump x

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