Nuchal Scans, Downs Syndrome Scan, Baby Scan, Pregnancy Scan

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Baby Premier nuchal scan, screening for Down’s syndrome

What is a nuchal scan?
A nuchal scan measures the amount of fluid at the back of your baby’s neck. Together with a blood test a nuchal scan can estimate the risk of your baby having a chromosomal abnormality such as Down’s syndrome. A nuchal scan is a non-invasive test (procedure which does not require incision into the body) that can only be performed between 11 weeks +4 days to 13 weeks +6 days of pregnancy. The blood test measures two concentrations BHCG (hormone) and PAPP-A (protein). Research suggests BHCG levels are higher and PAPP-A levels are lower in cases of Down’s syndrome. A nuchal scan is not however a diagnostic test, it just gives a risk factor. The nuchal scan also screens for Edward's syndrome and Patau's syndrome.

About Down’s syndrome
All women, whatever their age, have a small risk of delivering a baby with Down’s syndrome. Down’s syndrome is a chromosomal abnormality where there is an extra chromosome (trisomy 21). Down’s syndrome is one of the most common genetic abnormalities affecting 1 in every 700 births worldwide. The risk of Down’s syndrome increases with a women’s maternal age.

Up-to-date baby scan screening
Down’s syndrome and anomaly baby scan screening are a high priority issue with parents. Increasingly parents expect modern antenatal care to include the best baby scan screening and diagnosis for their unborn baby. Currently nuchal screening for Down’s syndrome is not widely available at routine NHS antenatal visits so many women opt for an invasive test such as amniocentesis (amino) or chorionic villus sampling (CVS). Amino and CVS are invasive tests (procedure involving incision into the body) and increase the risk of miscarriage. The nuchal scan offered by Baby Premier is 97% accurate and has the benefit of being performed within the first trimester of pregnancy so that if high risk results are found, you may consider undergoing the amniocentesis via the NHS route (usually from 15 weeks).

NICE recommendations
The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) have recommended nuchal scanning combined with blood test during the first trimester of pregnancy to be the most effective non-invasive screening test. In the future NICE would like all women to be offered first trimester screening for Down’s syndrome so that mums-to-be do not have to go through with unnecessary invasive tests. Unfortunately nuchal screening is not widely available at most NHS antenatal clinics and some clinics do not offer the combined blood test.

How are risk factors evaluated?
Down’s syndrome risk factors are expressed as ratios. For example a ratio of 1:250 tells us 1 in every 250 pregnant women of the same age and gestation may have a baby born with Down’s syndrome. Baby Premier’s combined nuchal scan and blood test picks up approximately 90% of unborn babies with Down’s syndrome compared to 30% when maternal age is just checked, 50% - 70% when only maternal age and blood test is checked, and 70% - 80% when maternal age and nuchal scan is checked.

Advantages of nuchal screening at Baby Premier

           • No risk to you and your baby
           • No waiting lists
           • OSCAR appointments at a selected number of.Baby Premier clinics
           • Convenient appointments
           • Avoid unnecessary worry
           • Peace of mind
           • Time to make an informed choice

OSCAR screening
A number of Baby Premier clinics offer OSCAR (one stop clinic for assessment of fetal risk) for Down’s syndrome screening. This means that the nuchal scan, blood test and result are done during one visit and results are available on the same day.

Who performs the nuchal scan?
All nuchal scans are performed by an accredited sonographer who holds the certification for nuchal scanning as regulated by the Fetal Medicine Foundation. The Fetal Medicine Foundation is a UK registered charity. It has established a process of training and quality assurance for the appropriate introduction of nuchal screening into clinical practice.

What happens if your result comes back as high risk?
If your result comes back as high risk your sonographer will explain the findings and discuss any concerns with you in depth. Your sonographer will liaise with your obstetrician or midwife to ensure the most appropriate follow up advice and care is given to you and your baby.

Preparing for and during your scan

           • You will receive a confirmation letter and registration form in the post
           • It is not a necessity to arrive with a full bladder
           • A blood sample will be taken from your arm
           • A nuchal scan will be performed
           • If a high risk result is detected we will contact and send a report to your                    obstetrician or midwife

This information is provided for general purposes only and should not be treated as a substitute for medical advice from your GP, Midwife or Healthcare Professional.

More information on Down's Syndrome can be found by clicking here

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