Down's syndrome Scan

Down's syndrome Scan - Nuchal Translucency Scan

11 Weeks + 6days - 13 Weeks + 6days

Brayford Studio Lincolnshire is the only recognized and accredited private centre in Lincolnshire by the Fetal Medicine Foundation, (FMF), and King's College in London, UK. Our sonographers are all accredited by the fetal Medicine Foundation also. Ultrasound scan screening is for Down's syndrome as well as Edward's syndrome and Patau's syndrome and Turner's syndrome. The ultrasound scan measures the nuchal translucency thickness and the presence or absence of the nasal bone of the baby as the majorities of babies with Down's syndrome may have an increase in the fluid collection behind the baby's neck and may also have absent fetal nasal bone. Nuchal translucency measurements as well as the blood test in the first trimester of pregnancy (The Combined Test) may avoid the needs for amniocentesis. The latter may have up to 1% risk of miscarriages of normal pregnancy due to the amniocentesis itself. Our cut-off point for nuchal translucency measurements are: 3mm, and that of the risk score is: 1 in 300. Nuchal translucency on its own picks up approximately 74% of cases of Down's syndrome. If combined with the nasal bone and the blood test the pick up rate of Down's syndrome may be increased up to 97% with 3% - 5% false negative and 3% - 5% false positive results. The result of the nuchal translucency scan is given to patients following counseling on the same day. The blood test results in 24 hours. We do not do the blood test at the Brayford Studio Lincolnshire but we can arrange it for you on request.

Nuchal Translucency Scan for Down's Syndrome, Edward's Syndrome, Patau's Syndrome and Turner's Syndrome

This 2D ultrasound scan is recommended to all pregnant women in the antenatal period. Nuchal translucency can only be performed between 11 weeks + 6 days & 13 weeks + 6 days, from the first day of your last menstrual period. If you are not sure of your dates, it may be necessary for you to have a dating scan prior to your nuchal scan.

Nuchal translucency is a screening test for Down's Syndrome, Edward's Syndrome, Patau's Syndrome and Turner's Syndrome. It will not tell you if your baby has, or has not got Down's Syndrome, Edward's Syndrome, Patau's Syndrome or Turner's Syndrome but it will tell you the risk of your baby being affected by Down's Syndrome, Edward's Syndrome, Patau's Syndrome or Turner's Syndrome and if you are at a high or low risk.

The nuchal translucency scan measures the thickness of the fluid beneath the skin behind the baby's neck. In Down's Syndrome, Edward's Syndrome, Patau's Syndrome and Turner's Syndrome there is an increase in the amount of this fluid. The scan alone picks up 74% of cases of Down's Syndrome, Edward's Syndrome, Patau's Syndrome and Turner's Syndrome, if it is combined with nasal bone screening, the blood test and the presence or absence of tricuspid valve incompetence the pick up rate increases to 95%.

Your Blood test at the Brayford studio Lincolnshire:

Multiple markers in maternal blood as well as ultrasound are used to calculate the risk for the common chromosomal abnormalities. This includes Down’s syndrome and Edward’s syndrome. The former is ten times commoner than the latter.
Neural Tube Defects (NTD’s), including spina bifida are also screened for using this Multi- Marker Screening Down’s syndrome risk of over 1 in 250 is regarded as a high risk. Patients of this risk and above should consider Chorionic Villous Sampling (CVS) in the first trimester or amniocentesis in the second trimester of their pregnancy.

Our blood test (The Admark blood test) that is performed in conjunction with the nuchal translucency scan is unique. It is far more superior than any other blood performed anywhere else. We measure four ingredients in the blood at the first trimester. The includes: Alpha-feto protein,AFP, Oestriol,uE3, free-beta Human chrionic gonadotrophin,hCG, and Placental protein A,PAPP-A. This in addition to the nuchal translucency scan measurements making them Five components which are being taking into consideration when calculating the risk of Down’s syndrome in the first trimester. Unless the result showing a low risk score, a further Four (AFP,UE3,free-beta hCG & inhibin-A) blood Markers are further analysed during he second trimester Free of charge to clarify any border line or high risk results that had been performed previously during the first trimester. This means that there are Nine variables in total that are used to quantify the risk with the resultant increase in the sensitivity and specificity of the screening test.

The ‘New’ Tipmark is a simple finger tip test. It is used for Down’s syndrome screening without blood sample. This is as accurate as a combined test but there is no need for a blood sample. Instead a finger-tip kit is provided so a woman can obtain small blood drops herself. The finger-tip kit is used at 9-13 weeks gestation; preferably 1-2 weeks prior to her ultrasound scan appointment so that the can be given immediately following her ultrasound scan examination

DNA Screening

The following screening test are available on request:

1. Fragile X syndrome
2. Spinal Muscular Atrophy
3. Cystic Fibrosis
4. Tay- Sachs disease

YOUR NUCHAL TRANSLUCENCY SCAN AT BRAYFORD STUDIO

At Brayford Studio Ltd your scan will be performed by our Senior Sonographer. We allow a 60 min. appointment, the actual scanning time can vary from 10 mins.to half an hour depending on your baby, the doctor will need to see your baby clearly and in a certain position in order to perform the scan. Once it has been done it will take a very short time to feed your test information into the computer and to obtain your results. Then you will receive a full and detailed explanation. Our Senior Sonographer will send a full report to your own health care professional. If however you decide to have the blood test in addition to the scan, we can arrange this for you. Then the result of the whole test will be available by the telephone within 24-48 hours of your scan. If you wish you can return at no extra charge to discuss your result with our Senior Sonographer.

We provide 2-3 black/white 2D images within the price of your Nuchal Translucency scan

Find out more about the following scans: