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Increased nuchal fold in pregnancy?

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in Parenting

I know I could post this on the pregnancy board but I'm looking for people who have been through it already. They found that the baby has an increased nuchal fold. I have done the CVS chromosome test and all came back normal (no down's, trisomy issues, or any other genetic problems). So now we will look for a heart defect as the baby matures. This apparently can go away on its own, too, and mean nothing.

Just looking to see if anyone's been through this and what their experience was.

Thanks!

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Re: Increased nuchal fold in pregnancy?

  • aprilmomtobeaprilmomtobe
    hi, I was told this with DS . .  had to have several subsequent U/S and it turned out to be nothing.  Hope the same holds true for you!
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  • OCNewlywedOCNewlywed

    I had the same experience - high number, and normal CVS. Also, there was a nasal bone which was another good sign. My DD turned out fine. I think she just has a chunky neck. (:

    Hope this helps!

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  • JOEBunnyJOEBunny member

    I was told 1 in 3 chance with DS based on his NT measure.  He is typical.  We had the CVS and a number of other ultrasounds for heart and other things, nothing was seen. 

    My nephew had Tetrology of Fallot, which is not directly genetic, but so uncommon they really don't know, so the heart concern was increased in part because of that.  I was glad for the extra test, since if undiagnosed, heart defects can be much more impactful.  As soon as they looked, they could see his heart was a problem.

    Good luck.  Just remember it is a process, all the testing, it is not a diagnosis and usually does not lead to one.  My nephew is a sturdy, intelligent, busy boy, despite being born with a Swiss cheese ticker.  They can fix just about anything these days.  

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  • meglewmeglew member
    I had the exact same experience with DD.  Increased nuchal fold measurement, had CVS testing, and the results came back with no chromosomal issues.  At 21 weeks, I had a fetal echocardiogram and the results were fine with that as well.
    DD #1 - 01.08
    DD #2 - 03.13
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  • ZenyaZenya member
    DD's was slightly enlarged (2.7) and we had multiple u/s's and fetal echos.  They never found anything and she is perfect.
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  • pralinepraline

    Since you are due in June I think you are referring to the nuchal translucency.  The nuchal translucency and the nuchal fold are two different things, but both can be markers if they are "thick."  Nuchal fold is a measurement made at the big anatomy scan from 18-22 weeks, and it measures the back of the baby's actual neck (they like it to be below a 6...but my DD #2's was a little thick) .  Nuchal translucency is a measurement of the fluid in the baby's neck during the first trimester (11 weeks to  13 w 6 d I think).  The fluid almost always goes away, whether or not it is related to an abnormality.  There is also something called a cystic hygroma which is also fluid and can be in the neck area, and it doesn't always resolve, but that is a measurement also usually made in the second tri.

    Anyway I know this stuff because my DD #2 had a very abnormal nuchal translucency...4.7.  I had a normal CVS and then many many fetal ultrasounds and fetal echos and they were all normal.  It was actually very hard for me!  My DD #2 is now 18 months old and has been developing typically...growth has always been good (off the charts for height actually), no delays, and she is now walking, talking and doing all the things you'd expect an 18 month old to do (and then some ;-)

     So, hang in there.  If your CVS was normal, your fetal ultrasounds are normal (and my DD actually also had a choroid plexus cyst in her brain, but they chalked that up to nothing since we already knew from the CVS that she didn't have trisomy 18), and your echos are normal, then you will most very likely have a typically developing child.  I think your risk would really not be elevated much above anyone else's at that point.  Best wishes!!  It was a very hard roller coaster of emotions for me to go through the whole thing.  But hang in there and you will make it through this.

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  • Temp965378937506476Temp965378937506476

    Thank you guys. It has been beyond stressful, as you know. And while we are getting the best results possible it is still scary and I can help but be sad for a multitude of reasons. Selfishly, this is my last pregnancy and it's not "normal" and "easy" like the other two were and knowing that I'll be stressed for most of it makes me really sad.

    I do not know the actual number they gave me at the u/s for the measurement but it was above the average range but not WAY above. They did initially mention the possibility of a cystic hygroma but that has been ruled out. We go back in two weeks for another u/s to see if the measurement is increased or decreased and then down the line I'll have my fetal echo done.  I really appreciate all the info, thank you!

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