Book Ultrasound NT Scan: Price, Purpose, Results & Timing
The Ultrasound NT Scan or NB scan, or Nuchal Translucency Scan measures the amount of fluid collected in the back of the neck of the fetus, called the nuchal fold. This measurement can help your doctor estimate the risk of your baby having a chromosomal abnormality such as Down syndrome, Edward’s syndrome (trisomy 18), trisomy 13, etc, as well as heart problems. A nuchal Translucency scan is a very important test on the developing fetus during pregnancy. It is done during the 11th to 13th week of pregnancy. USG NT Scan Test price usually ranges from Rs 1500 to Rs 2500
Ultrasound NT Scan Test Details in Brief
| Also Known As | USG NT SCAN, Nuchal Translucency Scan, NT NB Scan, Ultrasound Level 1 |
| Purpose | To estimate the risk of chromosomal abnormality in a developing fetus |
| Preparation | No special preparation is required. You may need to drink water 1 hour before the test to have a full bladder. |
| Fasting | No |
| Machine Used | Ultrasound/ Sonography Machine |
| Timing | 11-13th Week of Pregnancy |
| Cost | Rs. 1500 to Rs. 2500 |
Ultrasound NT Scan Test Price
Ultrasound NT Scan Test cost usually ranges from Rs 1500 to Rs 2500. The actual price depends on the diagnostic center and the city. Bookmerilab partners with more than 200 diagnostic centers across India. We provide a 10-50% discount on medical diagnostic tests.
The table below lists the NT Scan prices at a few popular diagnostic centers.
| Name of Lab | Test Price |
|---|---|
| City X-Ray | Rs 3000 |
| Janta X-Ray | Rs 3200 |
| Mahajan Imaging | Rs 2500 |
| Lucid Diagnostics | Rs 850 |
| Aarthi Scans | Rs 1600 |
| Vijaya Diagnostic | Rs 2000 |
Cost in different cities
The table below lists the prices in different cities. You can click on the name of the city to get the list of diagnostic centers with their price and discount.
| City | Test Price |
|---|---|
| Delhi | Rs 1200 to Rs 3200 |
| Mumbai | Rs 1500 to Rs 2500 |
| Bangalore | Rs 1400 to Rs 1700 |
| Hyderabad | Rs 700 to Rs 1600 |
| Gurgaon | Rs 1600 to Rs 3500 |
| Chennai | Rs 1400 to Rs 1600 |
Why Is Ultrasound NT Scan Done?
The NT Scan may be done for the following reasons-
- To accurately date the pregnancy: This is especially useful for women with an irregular menstrual cycle, one who has conceived during breastfeeding, or someone who does not remember her last menstruation date.
- To Diagnose multiple pregnancies.
- Aneuploidy disorders‘ Diagnosis (Abnormal chromosome number)- Down syndrome, Edward’s syndrome (trisomy 18), Patau’s syndrome (trisomy 13), Turner’s Syndrome
- Congenital heart disease– This is a genetic defect in which the heart of the child is not formed correctly during the gestation period.
- Congenital diaphragmatic herniation– This is an abnormality in which the diaphragm is not accurately formed during the development of the fetus.
- Skeletal dysplasia– Skeletal dysplasia is an abnormality caused by the abnormal formation of the bones in the infant’s body.
- VACTERL association– The VACTERL association is the group of numerous anomalies that can happen during the development of the child in the gestation period
- Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome– The inability to synthesize cholesterol is known as Smith-Lemili-Opitz syndrome.
All these disorders may be fatal for the baby as well as the mother. Hence they are diagnosed early to either treat the developing embryo or the child after being born.
Ultrasound NT Scan Preparation
No special preparation is needed. You can eat and normally drink before the test. It may be advised that you drink 600-800 mL of water 1-2 hours before the test. You should have some fluid in the bladder, but not be uncomfortably full. This ensures that the inside of the abdominal area is seen clearly on the ultrasound images. It is advisable that you wear comfortable clothing that gives easy access to your lower abdominal area.
No special preparation is needed for a transvaginal NT scan.
What is the Procedure For Ultrasound NT Scan?
The ultrasound NT scan can be performed through the abdomen or vagina (transvaginal). The procedure for the ultrasound NT scan is as follows:
- The transabdominal scan is similar to the normal abdominal ultrasound and is done on the lower abdomen of the pregnant woman.
- The gel is applied to the lower abdominal area, and the sonographer will move the transducer on the skin.
- In most cases, the scan is done just by moving the transducer over the skin, and the image of the developing child will appear on the screen. However, if that does not happen then the vaginal scan has to be done.
- The length of the fluid in the neck of the baby is measured. It appears as a black fluid under the skin. The images on the screen are enough to identify the risk of abnormalities in the developing baby.
- If your scan is done transvaginally, a small, lubricated ultrasound probe is gently inserted into your vagina. The probe may be a little uncomfortable but usually isn’t painful. Scans done this way can give more detailed pictures because the probe is closer to your uterus.
The entire procedure of NT Scan takes about 20-40 minutes.
When should the Ultrasound NT Scan be done?
The Nuchal Translucency or NT Scan is usually performed by the end of the first trimester. The baby should be in a period between 11 weeks and 13 weeks six days of gestation. The test done before the 11th week may be too early and not show the right results. The crown-rump length (from the top of the head to the bottom of the torso) of the baby should be between 45mm and 84mm. It is also not advised to delay the Nuchal Translucency Scan beyond 14 weeks since by then the fluid starts to move to the lymphatic system of the baby and may not show the true picture.
Ultrasound NT Scan Results
The NT scan measures the thickness of the translucent (black) region behind the fetus’s neck, which represents the fluid in the nuchal fold of the developing baby (refer to the highlighted area and green line in the image).
Normal Values
The values that are considered normal and indicate a lower risk of genetic disorders in the developing baby are given in the following table.
| Pregnancy Duration | Nuchal Translucency Measurement |
|---|---|
| 11 weeks | 2.1 mm |
| 13 weeks 6 days | 2.8 mm |
Abnormal Values
Values more than 2.8 mm denote more fluid than usual. The higher the fluid measurement, the higher is the risk for genetic disorders like
- Congenital heart disease
- Down Syndrome
- Patau Syndrome
- Turner Syndrome
- Edwards Syndrome
Limitations
NT ultrasound is a screening test — it doesn’t diagnose a condition. There is a 77% accuracy rate of this scan. I, however, to get a more accurate result, the scan is combined with others tests.
Other Tests
- Double-marker blood test. The blood test is done to measure the level of hormone beta-HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) and pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A). The levels of HCG and PAPP-A are higher in the child with Down syndrome.
- Non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT)– A maternal blood test done as early as week 8 of pregnancy checks the cell-free fetal DNA present in the maternal blood.
- Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)– An ultrasound-guided test is done, where a segment of the placental tissue is extracted to evaluate the fetus’s developmental status. This test is usually performed between week 11 to week 14 of pregnancy.
- Amniocentesis: Usually done between week 15 to week 18 of pregnancy. Guided by an ultrasound, a certain volume of amniotic fluid is drawn to diagnose chromosomal disparities in the fetus during amniocentesis.
Conclusion
The NT scan is a safe, noninvasive test that doesn’t cause any harm to you or your baby. The NT scan is quite an accurate procedure to determine the risk of abnormalities in the developing baby. Though this first-trimester screening is recommended, it’s optional. Some women skip this particular test because they don’t want to know their risk. Talk to your doctor if you experience anxiety, or are worried about how the results might affect you. It’s important to remember that receiving an abnormal result from an NT scan doesn’t necessarily mean that your baby has a chromosome problem. Similarly, normal test results do not guarantee that your baby won’t be born with an abnormality. Your nuchal translucency scan results can be combined with blood tests to give a more accurate estimate of your risk.
Pregnancy is a process that invites you to surrender to the unseen force behind all life”- Judi Ford 6
We, at BookmeriLab wish you a happy, healthy, and exciting pregnancy.
FAQs
NT stands for nuchal translucency. It is an ultrasound done in pregnant woman to measure the fluid in the nuchal fold of the developing fetus. This measurement can help your doctor estimate the risk of your baby having a chromosomal abnormality such as Down syndrome.
NT Scan is done in the first trimester of pregnancy between 11 weeks and 13 weeks six days of gestation.
The entire procedure of NT Scan takes about 20-40 minutes.
USG NT scan is usually not painful. If your scan is done transvaginally, a small, lubricated ultrasound probe is gently inserted into your vagina. The probe may be a little uncomfortable but usually isn’t painful.
You may not receive information about the test right away. Full results are usually ready in 1 or 2 days depending on availability of a qualified doctor to read the ultrasound images.
No. You can eat and drink normally before the test.
How to book USG NT Scan?
Dr Garima Saroj
Dr Garima Saroj is a dentist from Manipal college of dental sciences. She has previously worked at ESIC dental college and hospital Delhi and Dentecare multispecialty dental clinic Gurugram. She has a passion for writing for patient education and awareness.