Long-term outcome of children born after a first-trimester measurement of nuchal translucency at the 99th percentile or greater with normal karyotype: a prospective study.

Abstract

This study was undertaken to assess the long-term outcome of children born after a first-trimester measurement of nuchal translucency (NT) at the 99th percentile or greater during routine first-trimester screening in an unselected population. One hundred sixty-two infants were born alive. Clinical examination as well as a questionnaire to the parents (Ages and Stages Questionnaires [ASQ]) at the age of 2 years were obtained in 160 children. Our study population was compared with an external control group made of the 370 term control children. The prevalence of abnormal clinical pediatric examination and ASQ results at 2 years were not associated with NT thickness. Comparison with an external control group did not demonstrate an increased incidence of developmental delay. Parents should be informed that when the fetus is shown to be normal by ultrasound at 22-24 weeks of gestation the risk of adverse neonatal outcome or developmental delay in early childhood is not increased.