At 17 weeks, if the nasal bone is not clearly visible, is amniocentesis absolutely necessary?

Feb 28, 2023 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Lv Aiming

Introduction

In general, an unclear nasal bone at 17 weeks does not necessarily require amniocentesis. Since fetal development varies among individuals, the decision should be made on a case-by-case basis. Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) and four-dimensional color Doppler ultrasound are safer alternatives compared to invasive procedures like amniocentesis, posing lower risks to both the fetus and the pregnant woman while still providing a relatively clear assessment of fetal health.

Generally, unclear visualization of the nasal bone at 17 weeks does not necessarily require amniocentesis.

Since fetal development varies among individuals, assessments should be made on a case-by-case basis. When the nasal bone is not clearly visible at 17 weeks, non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) or a 4D color Doppler ultrasound can be performed again. If both tests show no high-risk abnormalities, continued observation may be appropriate. However, if either test indicates high-risk findings, further confirmation through amniocentesis is needed to rule out fetal developmental abnormalities.

Non-invasive DNA prenatal testing and 4D color Doppler ultrasound are safer than invasive procedures such as amniocentesis, posing lower risks to both the fetus and the pregnant woman. When fetal cooperation is good, these examinations typically take 40–60 minutes and can provide a relatively clear assessment of fetal health. Therefore, decisions regarding whether to proceed with amniocentesis can be based on the results of these two tests.

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