How to do prenatal check-up NT

How to do prenatal check-up NT

Prenatal check-up NT (Nuchal Translucency) is one of the important screening items during pregnancy and is mainly used to assess whether the fetus has the risk of chromosomal abnormalities. With the popularization of medical technology, more and more expectant mothers are beginning to pay attention to the specific procedures and precautions of NT examination. This article will introduce in detail the operating steps, precautions and related data of NT examination to help expectant mothers better understand this prenatal examination item.

1. What is NT inspection?

The NT examination uses B-ultrasound to measure the thickness of the translucent layer behind the fetal neck, combined with the maternal age, gestational age and other factors to comprehensively assess the risk of the fetus suffering from chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome. The best time for NT examination is from 11 weeks to 13 weeks + 6 days of pregnancy, when the fetal nuchal translucency thickness is easiest to measure.

2. Specific steps of NT examination

1.Make an appointment for inspection: NT examination requires an appointment in advance. It is recommended to contact the hospital around 10 weeks of pregnancy to ensure that the examination is completed within the best time.

2.Preparation before inspection: Fasting is not required for NT examination, but it is recommended to wear loose clothing to facilitate the doctor's operation.

3.Check process: The doctor will scan the pregnant woman’s abdomen with a B-ultrasound probe and measure the thickness of the translucent layer behind the fetal neck. The entire process usually takes 10-20 minutes and is painless and non-invasive.

4.Interpretation of results: NT values are usually measured in millimeters, and normal ranges vary depending on gestational age. Doctors will combine other indicators (such as serological screening) to comprehensively assess risk.

3. Normal value range for NT examination

4. Precautions for NT inspection

1.Check time: Be sure to complete it within 11 weeks to 13 weeks + 6 days of pregnancy. Taking it too early or too late may affect the accuracy of the results.

2.Hospital choice: It is recommended to choose a qualified hospital or professional obstetrics institution to ensure the standardization of the examination.

3.Mental preparation: NT examination is only a screening method, not a diagnosis. If the results are abnormal, further tests such as non-invasive DNA or amniocentesis are required.

5. Frequently Asked Questions about NT Inspection

1.What should I do if the NT value is too high?: A high NT value does not necessarily mean fetal abnormality and needs to be combined with other examinations for comprehensive judgment.

2.NT check cost: Different regions and hospitals charge different standards, generally between 200-500 yuan.

3.Does the inspection need to be repeated?: If the first examination cannot be completed due to fetal position problems, the doctor may recommend a reexamination.

6. The relationship between NT examination and other prenatal examination items

NT examination is usually performed in conjunction with early serological screening (such as PAPP-A, β-hCG), which can improve the accuracy of screening for chromosomal abnormalities. The following is a comparison between NT examination and other prenatal examination items:

7. Summary

NT examination is an important screening method during pregnancy, which can detect the risk of fetal chromosomal abnormalities early. Expectant mothers should pay attention to the examination time, choose regular medical institutions, and cooperate with doctors to complete relevant examinations. If the results are abnormal, there is no need to be overly anxious. You need to further consult a professional doctor to formulate a follow-up examination plan.

I hope this article can help expectant mothers better understand the NT examination and protect their health during pregnancy!