title: Nuchal translucency in normal fetus and its variation with increasing crown rump length (CRL) and gestational age.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nuchal translucency (NT) is the fluid collection behind the fetal neck which can be measured by ultrasound at 11-14 weeks of gestation. Increase in the nuchal translucency thickness is associated with various congenital anomalies.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To study the relationship between nuchal translucency thickness, crown rump length and gestational age in normal fetus.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective analytical study conducted on 211 pregnant women from March 2011 to August 2012. Measurement of Nuchal translucency thickness and crown rump length was performed by ultrasound at 11-14 weeks of gestation. The relationship between nuchal translucency thickness, crown rump length and gestational age was studied by using linear regression analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean CRL was 63.67+13.48mm (range 41.2-88mm) and mean NT thickness was 1.55+0.35mm (range 0.8-2.7mm), respectively. The median gestational age was 12.9 weeks. The regression equation which shows relation between median NT thickness and CRL was described as follows: expected NT thickness = 0.013CRL+0.725, (R2 = 0.258, p <0.001). There was increase in the incidence of NT thickness more than or equal to 2.5mm; 1.7% in fetus between 12-12.9 weeks of gestation to 15.1% in fetus between 14.0-14.9 weeks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study offers normative data of NT thickness in normal fetus, which can be used as reference to screen various chromosomal and congenital abnormalities between 11- 14 weeks of gestation. NT thickness increased with increasing CRL and a false positive rate increases with increasing gestational age.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiodiagnosis and Imaging, Dhulikhel Hospital- Kathmandu University Hospital, Kathmandu University School of medical Science, Dhulikhel, Kavre, Nepal.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Karki
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiodiagnosis and Imaging, Dhulikhel Hospital- Kathmandu University Hospital, Kathmandu University School of medical Science, Dhulikhel, Kavre, Nepal.
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Joshi
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dhulikhel Hospital- Kathmandu University Hospital, Kathmandu University School of medical Science, Dhulikhel, Kavre, Nepal.
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Tamrakar
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiodiagnosis and Imaging, Dhulikhel Hospital- Kathmandu University Hospital, Kathmandu University School of medical Science, Dhulikhel, Kavre, Nepal.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Regmi
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, Dhulikhel Hospital - Kathmandu University Hospital Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences Dhulikhel, Kavre, Nepal.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Khanal
mesh_terms: D018568:Crown-Rump Length; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D048208:Nuchal Translucency Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011446:Prospective Studies