What’s the purpose of an NT scan?
An NT scan is a popular pregnancy screening test performed during the first trimester. This test determines the size of the transparent tissue at the back of your baby’s neck, known as the nuchal translucency.
A nucleus is one of the many components of our bodily cells. Our genetic material is stored in the nucleus. In most circumstances, the nucleus has 23 pairs of chromosomes that are inherited equally from both parents.
People with Down syndrome have an extra copy of chromosome 21. Down syndrome is a genetic disorder that causes developmental delays and unusual physical traits.
These include:
- a small stature
- eyes with an upward slant
- low muscle tone
When is an NT scan scheduled during pregnancy?
Because the clean area at the back of a developing baby’s neck can vanish by week 15, an NT scan should be performed during the first trimester.
This test may also include blood tests to determine your plasma protein levels as well as human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), a maternal hormone. Abnormal amounts of either could suggest a chromosomal issue.