Book your Nuchal translucency Scan at
The Women’s Wellness Centre, London
Choose day and time that best suits you and book directly using our online booking.
You’ll receive an email to confirm your appointment and we look forward to seeing you at the Centre.
If you have any questions or if you need a same-day appointment please do not hesitate to call us on 020 7751 4488.
What is the Nuchal translucency Scan?
A nuchal translucency screening, or NT screening, is a specialised pregnancy ultrasound scan performed at the end of the first trimester of pregnancy ( 11-13 weeks).
Nuchal translucency (NT) is the ultrasound appearance of clear space at the back of a growing baby’s neck called the nuchal fold. By measuring the nuchal fold thickness, our experienced and certified Sonographer can determine if a baby is statistically more likely to have a chromosomal abnormality such as Down’s syndrome. This is usually combined with a blood test to increase the sensitivity of the test. This is why it is also called the Combined Nuchal Translucency Scan.
What a Nuchal Fold Thickness can tell us?
If the nuchal fold is thick means that the baby has a higher probability of developing chromosomal abnormalities, cardiac defects and other genetic syndromes.
Babies with increased fluid at the base of their necks are at a statistically increased risk of having a chromosomal problem, such as Down syndrome (trisomy 21), Edwards syndrome (trisomy 18) or Patau syndrome (trisomy 13).
A Harmony Test is also carried out to further assess the risk of these genetic abnormalities and provide you with a more accurate result.
What is a normal NT measurement?
Normal NT measurements can vary and depends on which week you are in your pregnancy. In the majority of the case, you can consider a normal screening NT measurement at 12 weeks to be under 3.0 mm.
Who should have a Nuchal translucency screening?
A NT screening is recommended for all expected mums as an antenatal screening test. Results can help you and your doctor to make careful decisions and plan about pregnancy outcome or it allows you to be prepared for the unlikely event that you may have a baby with special needs.
What if your NT results are abnormal?
Many women who have an abnormal result on their screening test go on to have a perfectly normal, healthy child. Age and blood test is also used in combination with the NT measurement to provide the overall statistical risk as the risk increases with increasing maternal age.
An abnormal result on the nuchal translucency does not mean that your baby has a chromosomal abnormality but there is a statistical likelihood of having a problem.
A Harmony Test is usually recommend as next line of testing as it can provide an even more accurate result than the NT scan. There is no need to overthink your results and you should be advised by your doctor or Obstetrician who can help you understand the results of the measurements, blood test and next steps.
Your NT Screening at the Women’s Wellness Centre, London
You can attend your nuchal translucency screening at our clinic in London where our experienced Sonographer and HCA will help you through every step.
An NT is a special type of pregnancy ultrasound scan using a very sensitive and safe machine. A Sonographer will apply a transducer (wand) to the outside of your abdomen to measure your baby from crown to rump and check that the fetal age is accurate. Then he or she will locate the nuchal fold in a specific view and measure its thickness on the screen.
You can decide if you wish to combine your appointment with a Harmony test to ensure a more precise result and gain extra reassurance.
You can also count on our expert Consultants if you need any medical advice pre or post your NT screening.
If you have any enquires or questions and you want more information about Harmony Test or Ultrasound scanning during pregnancy please do not hesitate to call us on 020 7751 4488 or contact us.
