Investigating the Relation between the NT Size in Fetus and the Adverse Outcomes of Pregnancy

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.

2 Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.

3 Resident of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.

Abstract

Introduction: Nuchal translucency (NT) refers to the clear space at the back of a fetus’s neck which is measured in a mid-sagittal plan sonography. Typically screening fetal chromosome abnormalities and NT, as a part of this plan, is recommended to all pregnant women. Despite the widespread use, there are many controversial in the value of NT as a predictor of adverse pregnancy outcomes. In this study the relation between NT and some adverse pregnancy outcomes including abortion, preterm delivery, low birth weight and preeclampsia was assessed.
Methods: In this cohort analytical study, pregnant women were screened for NT at gestational age of 11-13w±6d. They were divided in two groups: 748 cases with NT less than 2 and 360 cases with NT equal or greater than 2. Pregnancy adverse outcomes include abortion, Intra uterine fetal death, preeclampsia and low birth weight were surveyed in both groups. Gathered data were analyzed by chi-square test, calculating the relative risk (RR) and 95% Confidence Interval. P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Relation betweenNT≥2 and risks of preeclampsia (p<0.001), preterm labor (p=0.039), abortion (p=0.026) and low birth weight (p<0.001) were significant but with intrauterine death and threaten abortion was not significant (p>0.05).
Conclusion: Routine NT screening in gestational age (11-13w±6d) is valuable in predicting of adverse pregnancy outcomes.
 
 

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