thread: What else can a high nuchal fold mean?

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  1. #1
    Registered User

    Jun 2008
    59

    Hi
    My neice had a very high result for this test. She was told there was definately something wrong with her baby and she should consider termination. She had further tests that were inconclusive but decided to keep the baby.Turned out that he was perfectly normal.I don't think these tests are all they are cracked up to be!
    Regards
    LisaB.

  2. #2

    Oct 2005
    A Nestle Free Zone... What about YOU?
    5,374

    I am sorry that I didn't see this thread - it is easy to miss threads sometimes - I am sorry Ocean Princess it is frustrating when you don't get replies...

    I am hoping that your u/s results have been okay?

    Higher than "normal" nuchal fold measurements can be an indicator of chromosomal abnormalities - in the event of "normal" karotyping this can be ruled out.
    It also can indicate cardiac problems and due to this babies are monitored closely by u/s.

    Sometimes babies just have a big nuchal fold for no reason - just is as it is. I have seen this many many times too. It is just one of the pointers (a big one) to chromosomal abnormalities and as such should not be overlooked or discounted.

    lmbmbc: It is inappropriate and I cannot quite digest that your niece would have been offered a termination based on nuchal fold measurement. If a low ratio is returned women are offered invasive testing - either or both cvs and amniocentesis. Nuchal Translucency is a SCREENING test it is not a diagnostic test and as such practices will not offer pregnancy interrruption without definitive diagnosis...

  3. #3

    May 2008
    Melbourne, Vic
    8,631

    Thanks Flowerchild, I was looking for something that didn't really exist I guess... as we kept ruling out options (its not this, its not that) I was wondering what it could still be.

    I can answer my own question now - it can also be a cystic hygroma, where the drainage system at the back of the neck doesn't develop in time with the rest of the baby and as a result fluid can build up. Looks like this is what it is with my little bubba - it will either resolve itself in utero (by catching up with the rest of the development) or she might be born with a little cyst at the back of her neck.

    Either way is fine with me - not critical, not life threatening, apparently if she's born with it we might not even notice it.

    Such stress, for such a trivial thing

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Dec 2009
    1

    My Own Little Happy Ending

    I had a high nuchal scan measurement when I was pregnant (5.3). They rushed us into another room for genetic counseling. We were so scared. We decided to get the CVS testing. When I did it, they used the needle and I had some renowned specialist from Canada do it. He said he had difficulty piercing my cervix to get the cells. If I had to do it all over again, I would have waited and done the amnio (there was not another method for doing the CVS at the time). The genetic screening came back just fine (no abnormalities), so we rejoiced and tried to stay positive the rest of my pregnancy. Our son was born on time and was very healthy. About 3 weeks later, we discovered he was deaf. It was very difficult for us at first. I don't know that a higher nuchal scan was what happened in our case. I do have a friend who has a deaf child and she had a high nuchal scan as well. HOWEVER, there are also other moms that have deaf children who had normal nuchal scans. For me, I just felt like something was amiss when the doctor put that needle in me, everything felt wrong about it. I would never have that done again.
    I do agree with what many have said on this board - that you have to try and not stress about it, as hard as that may be. I guess that I just discovered that even though I experienced a lot of heartache initially, I came to realize that my child is still perfect. He is doing so well that at 3 years of age he speaks perfectly, reads, and has the vocabulary of a 7 year old. You would never even know he was deaf. But whether you could tell he is deaf or not, I don't care. He is the most amazing and beautiful boy and I am grateful for every minute that he has been in my life.
    Best wishes and hugs to you!