Increased Fetal Nuchal Translucency Thickness and Normal Karyotype: Prenatal and Postnatal Outcome

Nuchal translucency (NT) is the assessment of the amount of fluid behind the neck of the fetus, also known as the nuchal fold. An anechoic space is visible and measurable sonographically in all fetuses between the 11th and the 14th week of the pregnancy (Figure 1). Underlying patho‐ physiological mechanisms for nuchal fluid collection under the skin include cardiac dysfunc‐ tion, venous congestion in the head and neck, altered composition of the extracellular matrix, failure of lymphatic drainage, fetal anemia or hypoproteinemia and congenital infection [1]. The abnormal accumulation of nuchal fluid decreases after the 14th week.