Nuchal translucency scan - high end

[Grace2021]

Hi everyone

I'm hoping someone can offer me some advice. I have got myself into a right pickle over the weekend. I had my dating scan on Friday and the nuchal translucency is 2.90mm. The sonographer didn't seem worried and said that 3.5 is usually the marker for concern. She was positive about the scan and I had my bloods done right after as part of the combined screening test.

However, stupidly when I got home I started playing Doctor Google, and actually learnt that 2.90mm is on the high side and above the average. After reading lots of reports and journals, I have ended up in a bit of a mess. I'm also 40 and know puts me at higher risk too. I had a miscarriage earlier this year and it broke my heart, so I'm naturally sensitive to anything that could go wrong.

I did call the hospital today to explain my anxiety and fear and the head of the screening department, said the measurement was a bit high but to wait for the blood test results that should be through today or tomorrow. I called her at the end of today just to check to see if any results had come in and got my name mixed up with a similar name and said "it's come back low risk...actually" - it's just the way she said it like she was shocked. And then she read out my personal information and it was obviously not meant for me. So in the end, my results hadn't come back yet, and she was obviously shocked to see the results were low risk.

I have spent the whole evening crying just thinking the worst, and good knows what the anxiety and stress is doing to the baby. I'm really hoping someone has been in a similar situation to me. I know I'm jumping head without the blood results but from everything I've read, I just can't help but think the odds are against me especially with my age. It's helped just to write everything down. so thank you xxx

Hi OP. I know it's easier said than done but try not to panic. Under 3.5 is a positive thing. Hopefully you'll get a lovely low risk result tomorrow.
X

@Grumpy19 Thank you for your message and positive words. Xxx

Having had a high NT result, I know that you would only be considered high risk on the NT alone if it was over 3.5, so try not to worry too much!

How many weeks OP?

@dammit88 At the time if the scan and blood test, I was 12 weeks and 4 days....thank you x

Hi
My NT was 2.9 at 12.5 weeks, I'm 45 and gave birth to a beautiful baby boy 8 weeks ago 😊
I know it's difficult but try not to worry, you're under 3.5 so that's great news!

@Ferrylass Thank you for your message. Honestly, just hearing these positive stories brings tears to my eyes. I really appreciate your support. I'm hoping I will get the results of the blood tests today. xxx

@ Thank you for your message x

Under 3.5 is a good thing. It can take up to 2 weeks to get your blood results back so try not to stress too much. They will ring you if there are any concerns otherwise you will get a letter within 2 weeks telling you your risk. So as hard as it is try to remember no news is good news

My dd's nuchal measurement was much higher than yours. Off the scale.
Bloods came back and overall risk was low.

She's now 14 and totally fine.

Hi all - so I got my results today. And they have come back as high risk for Down Syndrome. I got myself so upset and now I feel just numb really. I have to go for an NIPT test tomorrow morning but it will be a week wait for the results.

I'm so scared and thinking the worse. Thank you xxx

Oh @Grace2021 I'm really sorry you are going through this. Do you mind me asking what they've said the risk is? Sometimes high risk can actually mathematically be better if you flip it. X

@grumpy19 Yes, of course, they have said 1 in 83....thank you x

So, I think to help you through the next week you need to keep reminding yourself that is 82/83 that all will be well, that's over 98%. Try to be kind to yourself. I really hope it works out well x

Did they give you contact details for ARC? they are a charity that help people who in your position. I think Grumpy has given you good advice above - there is still every chance all is well.

I had the same NT as you with my son, but no other markers just that. We ended up going for NIPT it was a very very difficult wait for those results, so I really understand what you're going through and all the different thoughts and feelings that go round your head on an hourly basis. The results were normal in my case. Please be kind to yourself and take it one day at a time

Hi, sorry you are going through this. I had an NT scan and bloods taken at 12w5d, got 2.8 NT and it came back as 1 in 212 for Down's, and 1 in 100k for the others. These aren't worrying odds for me- but just to be sure I called the hospital and requested the exact blood results, which they gave me over the phone. I did this because I love numbers and want to know everything....I'm wondering if maybe it's a good idea for you to do the same. It's stated that low PAPP-A and high bHCG can be indicative of Down's, so that was the number I was really keen to know....my PAPP-A 1.51 which is good. I'm 37 so it looks like my age, NT measurement, and bHCG (it was 1.9 MoM) were why I got a 1 in 212 instead of a 1 in a much bigger number. The number details can be incredibly reassuring. It just depends on how you take things though- I find that I feel better when armed with all of the numbers involved, even if numbers make things look bad I'd rather know.
I guess what my rambling is trying to say is, if you get the full details of the blood test maybe you will see that your age is what put the risk up? Age makes a HUGE difference in the screening calculations, it's quite an unforgiving calcuator.

I was also reassured by the clear presence of a nasal bone on my scan pictures- that's also something you could examine your pics for. If you google it, you will find out how to spot it and what part is what.

Good luck, and fingers crossed for the best outcome- try to remember that 1 in 83 still gives you a very good chance of your baby not having Down's.

@Grumpy19 Thank you for your positive words and support - it really helps. I have got myself too upset in the last 24 hours and now just feel exhausted. Trying my hardest to stay calm and be positive xxx

@dammit88 Thank you for your message. Yes, they did give me the details of the ARC - I might call them tomorrow. The last 24 hours have been such a roller coaster of emotions and I'm trying to stay strong - thank you x

JChina Thank you for your message. Sorry to hear you went through the same. but happy to hear your results were fine :) You're so right it's a rollercoaster of emotions and I'm so trying to stay strong and take one day at a time. Thank you xxx

ThisMammaCat Thank you for your message. You seem a lot similar to me. I have tried to dissect every number but I'm finding hard to make sense of it all.

I don't quite get it because I keep googling about what normal NT is but there are so many variables...and it says NT is the best marker for DS. And 2.90 is on the high side.

My blood results are as follows:

HCG - 0.83 (MoM)
PAPP-A - 2.15 (MoM)

Background risk T21 - 1:110
Adjusted risk - 1:83

I feel I have read so much information, it's now all a blur. I feel so numb today. I'm trying so hard to stay positive and keep saying to myself I could be that "1". When I was at the hospital today, the Doctor was trying to be really positive but at the end said "...and you could be that 1..." And I guess that sums up how I feel.

Thank you much for your message and sharing your details - it's really helpful just to chat with others who have had similar experiences.

Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to try and help xxx

@ThisMammaCat
PS. I have also been studying to scan for the nasal bone, I swear I can see but in all honesty I have no idea if it is or not. When I had the scan I had no idea that this should have been a question I should have asked...xxx

Personally, I would be very reassured by your PAPP-A number! Down's is usually High HCG and low PAPP-A, looks to me like only age and NT measurement is giving you a scary result. If you don't mind, I'm going to be optimistic and expect you to get the all-clear after any further testing. As part of my general nosey googlery during this pregnancy I searched high and low for someone saying they had high PAPP-A and had a baby with a chromosome issue but found nada- in fact, I couldn't find anything at all negative about high PAPP-A! I know the tsunami of information is overwhelming, but focus on those numbers- that HCG is slightly lower than average while in Down's it tends to be higher, and sometimes significantly higher! You have such good numbers they made me smile and feel relief.

Want to post your scan pic? I'll see if my eyes cooperate (just woke from a food coma).

The Dr had to say that about the 1....because from their point of view, if they don't, and you were the one, their butt could be on the line- they can't give us any false hope no matter how positive they feel about things.

@ThisMammaCat Thank you. You sound so
Knowledgeable and so so helpful in what you say. Honestly I just keep reading over what you say and It brings tears to my eyes and gives me hope. Even though I’m scared to hope if that makes sense.

I also keep saying to myself. I know NT fluid rises with gestational age, so I’m now panicking thinking it has probably gone up
Since Friday (my scan) I’m not sure how it works...

I’ve attached some pictures of the scan. Thank you so so much xxx

You're so welcome....and I wouldn't be falsely reassuring either, I say things how they seem to me and your numbers are great. The pics have come in a bit small but I can make out the nasal bone in the biggest pic!

Please don't be scared to hope, when this all passes and all is well you don't want to be kicking yourself for worrying!