Do I still need to have the唐screening after having the NT scan?

Nov 05, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Lu
Introduction
During pregnancy, pregnant women should strictly follow their doctor's recommendations for prenatal checkups to ensure they receive the most appropriate medical advice and care. The NT scan is primarily performed between 11 and 13 weeks of pregnancy, using ultrasound to measure the thickness of the nuchal translucency in the fetus to assess the risk of chromosomal abnormalities, particularly Down syndrome.

Under normal circumstances, pregnant women should still undergo the Down syndrome screening (maternal serum screening) after having the NT scan. The detailed explanation is as follows:

The NT scan is primarily performed between 11 and 13 weeks of pregnancy. It uses ultrasound to measure the thickness of the nuchal translucency in the fetus to assess the risk of chromosomal abnormalities, particularly Down syndrome. The Down syndrome screening, on the other hand, is conducted between 15 and 20 weeks of pregnancy. It involves taking a blood sample from the pregnant woman to measure biochemical markers such as alpha-fetoprotein and human chorionic gonadotropin, combined with maternal factors like age, weight, and gestational age, to comprehensively evaluate the risk of fetal chromosomal abnormalities including Down syndrome. When performed alone, either the NT scan or the Down syndrome screening has limited detection rates. However, when used together, they provide a more comprehensive assessment of fetal health. Therefore, even after undergoing the NT scan, it is still necessary to complete the Down syndrome screening.

Throughout pregnancy, women should strictly follow their doctor's recommendations for prenatal checkups to ensure they receive appropriate medical advice and care.