Ultrasonographic measurement of fetal nuchal skin to screen for chromosomal abnormalities.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this prospective investigation was to determine the utility of ultrasonographic measurement of the fetal nuchal skin in screening for chromosomal abnormalities.


METHODS
In 1510 patients undergoing genetic amniocentesis at 14 to 21 weeks' gestation, the fetal nuchal skin fold was measured. A measurement of > or = 6 mm was considered abnormal.


RESULTS
In fetuses with normal karyotype the nuchal skin increased with advancing gestational age (r = 0.45, p < 0.001). Only 27 fetuses with normal karyotype (2.0%) had an abnormal nuchal skin thickness. Fifty-seven fetuses had abnormal karyotype. Eight of 14 fetuses with Down syndrome had abnormal ultrasonographic findings; four had increased nuchal skin as the only ultrasonographic abnormality. Increased nuchal skin alone, in the absence of other ultrasonographic dysmorphologic features, did not help to identify fetuses with other abnormal karyotypes.


CONCLUSIONS
Nuchal skin thickness is a useful noninvasive measurement to screen for Down syndrome but does not help to identify fetuses with other chromosomal abnormalities.
Watson
W J
WJ
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sioux Valley Hospital, Sioux Falls, SD 57105.
Miller
R C
RC
Menard
M K
MK
Chescheir
N C
NC
Katz
V L
VL
Hansen
W F
WF
Wolf
E J
EJ
D002869:Chromosome Aberrations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D025063:Chromosome Disorders; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D009333:Neck / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012867:Skin / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012868:Skin Abnormalities; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal