Translucencia nucal y ductus venoso: valores de referencia en el primer trimestre de la gestación

Objective

To establish the reference ranges for nuchal translucency (NT) and ductus venosus (DV) pulsatility index for veins (PIV) in our population.

Methods

During a 4-year period, pregnancies originated from the general population undergoing 11.1-14.0 weeks ultrasound examination were studied. Reference intervals were constructed following the methodology described by the National Committee for Clinical and Laboratory Standards. According to the conclusion of the partition test, gestational age-related reference intervals were estimated using linear regression models for the NT. Deviances from linearity in the estimated models were evaluated using fractional polynomials of 1st or 2nd degree.

Results

2,612 pregnancies were studied. No significant differences were found for DV PIV between gestational age groups. There was a significant difference of the NT values between age groups (p < 0.001) and the gestational age-related estimation of reference intervals showed a no-linear increase.

Conclusion

A significant increase was found for NT with gestational age, whereas the DV PIV remained constant.