Long-term neurodevelopmental outcome of children from euploid pregnancies with increased nuchal translucency in the first trimester screening.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the long-term neurodevelopmental outcome of children born from singleton euploid pregnancies with increased fetal nuchal translucency (NT) in the first trimester ultrasound screening and without structural anomalies in the second trimester ultrasound screening.

STUDY

DESIGN

This is a register-based retrospective cohort study carried out at a tertiary referral centre from 2002 to 2007. Children were followed up until 2012. All fetuses had increased NT (>95th percentile) at the first trimester ultrasound screening and normal findings in the second trimester ultrasound screening. Data about the neurodevelopmental outcome was retrieved from the hospital databases, The National Institute for Health and Welfare, and the Finnish Causes of Death Statistics Database. Information about received disability allowances was gathered from the Social Insurance Institute of Finland.

RESULTS

The study population consists of 691 children. The mean follow-up time was 6.5 years. Neurodevelopmental disorders occurred in 29 children (4.2%). Twelve of these 29 children (1.7%) had severe neurodevelopmental impairment.

CONCLUSIONS

The long-term neurodevelopmental outcome of children after increased fetal NT is reassuring. This information should be added to the parental counselling of such cases. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.