F38Normogram of nuchal fold thickness during 14–16 weeks' gestation of 195 normal fetuses by transvaginal ultrasound

• Published in: Ultrasound in obstetrics & gynecology Vol. 16; no. s1; p. 44
• Main Authors: Perlitz, Y., Mukary, M., Ben‐Ami, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Science, Ltd 01-10-2000
• ISSN: 0960-7692; 1469-0705
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1469-0705.2000.00015-1-38.x

Background
The aim of this study was to establish normal values of nuchal fold thickness during 14–16 weeks' gestation by transvaginal sonography (TVS).
Method
Singleton fetuses of 195 women with normal pregnancies were studied by TVS at 14–16 weeks' gestation. Gestational age was determined by last menstural period and confirmed by biometry. Nuchal fold thickness was measured by the modified axial view of the head, cerebellum and the nuchal fold. All women delivered normal infants with no evidence of anomalies. t‐testing was performed to determine any correlation between nuchal fold thickness and gestational age.
Results
Mean value of nuchal fold thickness during 14–16 weeks' gestation was 2.2 ± 0.5 mm (mean ± SD). The mean values for 14, 15 and 16 weeks' gestation were 2.1 ± 0.5 mm, 2.2 ± 0.4 mm and 2.4 ± 0.9 mm, respectively. There was only a marginally significant increase of the nuchal fold thickness between 15 and 16 weeks' gestation (P = 0.054, t‐test).
Conclusions
Normal values of nuchal fold thickness at 14–16 weeks' gestation for normal fetuses were constructed by TVS. The mean value of nuchal fold thickness only slightly increased during 14–16 weeks' gestation. Therefore, the same mean value (2.2 ± 0.5 mm) may be used throughout this period.