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.

Objective: 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.

Study Design: 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.

Results: 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.

Conclusion: 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.