title: Fetal nuchal translucency: a prenatal screening tool.
abstract: During fetal nuchal translucency screening, ultrasonography is used to assess for a fluid collection at the nape of the fetal neck. An abnormal fluid collection may be related to genetic disorders and/or physical anomalies. This screening is most accurate when performed between 10 and 14 weeks gestation. Analyzing maternal serum beta-hCG and pregnancy-associated plasma protein A levels increases the accuracy of 1st trimester screening. Nurse practitioners, midwives, and physicians can be certified in performing fetal nuchal translucency screening.
authors.affiliation: Indianna University, Division of Nursing, USA.
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Beamer
mesh_terms: D002568:Certification; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / Q000097:blood; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005122:Exudates and Transudates / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing / Q000592:standards; D009333:Neck / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D009721:Nurse Midwives / Q000193:education; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000193:education; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011266:Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A / Q000378:metabolism; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing / Q000592:standards
chemical_list: D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human; D011266:Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A