NT scan vs Anomaly scan
NT scan is a prenatal scan that is done during the first trimester of the pregnancy. Nuchal translucency is a fluid that is found behind the fetus’s neck.
This ultrasound scan helps in measuring the baby’s health and identifying the health abnormalities such as down syndrome or heart-related problems.
NT scan measurements are precise in most cases and are typically done in the early stage of the pregnancy to get accurate results.
An anomaly scan or a mid-pregnancy scan shows a detailed look at your baby and your uterus. This scan is typically done between 20-24 weeks of gestation.
The anomaly scan depicts a baby’s face and hands at 20 weeks, which will give you an idea of what to expect from the scan.
This scan would be exciting and emotional as you could see your baby, how the baby looks in the 20 weeks, and the health condition of the baby can also be measured through this scan.
Is NT scan the same as anomaly scan?
Are you often confused between an NT Scan vs an Anomaly Scan? Here’s what you have to know.
An NT scan determines your unborn child’s likelihood of having Down syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities whereas an anomaly scan searches for any anomalies in your baby’s body parts.
NT scan is a screening test so the results cannot tell you whether or not your baby has a chromosomal abnormality. If your test yields a high-risk result, you may choose to undergo a diagnostic procedure such as chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis, which can provide a definitive answer.
An anomaly scan examines each part of the fetal body, determines the position of the placenta, measures fetal growth, and assesses the amount of amniotic fluid.
The main goal of the anomaly scan is to thoroughly assess the pregnancy and determine the presence of any rare conditions, such as those of the brain, spine, and heart. You can also ask for the gender of the baby during this scan.
Is an anomaly scan necessary after an NT scan?
Studies say that 2% to 3% of pregnancies will have a problem with the baby’s growth and development.
So, an anomaly scan is an ultrasound that is performed to assess the physical development of the fetus and to look for malformations in the growing fetus.
Some abnormalities in the skull and brain, such as anencephaly, in the spinal cord, or the absence of kidneys, make it difficult for the baby to survive after birth.
Detecting the abnormalities in the early stage of pregnancy will be more helpful than in the later stages.
At which week NT and Anomaly is done?
A nuchal translucency scan is performed between 11 and 14 weeks of gestation.
An anomaly scan is also known as Second Trimester Fetal Development Anomaly Scan as it is the most important 20-week pregnancy scan and it can screen for abnormalities as well as offer a diagnosis based on a thorough evaluation from an expert.
So usually an anomaly scan is done between 20-24 weeks of gestation.
