Evidence map›Paper›PMID 34592002›Full record

ArticlePrenatal diagnosis2021

Increased nuchal translucency before 11 weeks of gestation: Reason for referral?

Malou A Lugthart, Bo B Bet, Fleur Elsman, Karline van de Kamp, Bernadette S de Bakker, Ingeborg H Linskens, Merel C van Maarle, Elisabeth van Leeuwen, Eva Pajkrt

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Prenatal diagnosis, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Malou A LugthartDepartment of Obstetrics, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8385-2150
Bo B BetDepartment of Obstetrics, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Fleur ElsmanDepartment of Obstetrics, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Karline van de KampDepartment of Obstetrics, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Bernadette S de BakkerDepartment of Medical Biology, Section Clinical Anatomy & Embryology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Ingeborg H LinskensDepartment of Obstetrics, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Merel C van MaarleDepartment of Clinical Genetics, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Elisabeth van LeeuwenDepartment of Obstetrics, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Eva PajkrtDepartment of Obstetrics, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesIn this era of non-invasive-prenatal testing (NIPT), when dating scans are usually performed around 10 weeks of gestation, an increased NT before the official established timeframe (CRL between 45 and 84 mm) may be encountered. Information on management of these pregnancies is limited. Therefore, we evaluated the relationship between an early increased NT and adverse pregnancy outcome. Secondary, we evaluated the rate of chromosomal anomalies that might have been missed in first trimester should solely NIPT be performed as first-tier test, and the rate of adverse pregnancy outcome if NT normalizes before 14 weeks.

methodsWe performed a retrospective cohort study that included all pregnancies between January 1, 2007 and June 1, 2020 in Amsterdam UMC locations AMC and VUmc. We included fetuses with a crown-rump length (CRL) < 45 mm (∼11 weeks) and a nuchal translucency (NT) measurement ≥2.5 mm. Fetuses referred with an early increased NT and a major fetal anomaly at the dating scan were excluded, as were cases of parents with a family history of monogenetic disease(s) or recognized carriers of a balanced translocation.

resultsWe included 120 fetuses of which 66.7% (80/120) had an adverse pregnancy outcome. Congenital anomalies were present in 56.7% (68/120), 45.8% (55/120) had a chromosomal anomaly. The prevalence of congenital anomalies was 30.3% in fetuses with NT 2.5-3.4 mm compared to 66.7% with NT ≥ 3.5 mm (p < 0.001). 16.7% (20/120) had a chromosomal anomaly that might have been missed by conventional NIPT in first trimester. We found an adverse pregnancy outcome of 24% in the group with a normalized NT compared to 78.1% in the group with a persistently increased NT (p < 0.001).

conclusionAn early increased NT should make the sonographer alert. In this selected cohort, an early increased NT was associated with a high probability of having an adverse pregnancy outcome. Regardless of CRL, we deem that an early increased NT ≥ 3.5 mm warrants referral to a Fetal Medicine Unit for an extensive work-up. NT normalization seems favorable, but a prospective study should define the appropriate work-up for NT in the lower range (2.5-3.4 mm).

Indexed as

Gestational AgeAdultCohort StudiesFemaleHumansNuchal Translucency MeasurementPregnancyPregnancy OutcomeProspective StudiesReferral and ConsultationRetrospective StudiesUltrasonography, Prenatal

Identifiers

PMID34592002
PMCPMC9293299

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.