Jugular lymphatic sacs in the first trimester of pregnancy: the prevalence and the potential value in screening for chromosomal abnormalities
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Peter N. van Heesch
, Pieter C. Struijk , Helen Brandenburg , Eric A. Steegers and Hajo I. Wildschut
Abstract
Objective: To investigate the prevalence of detectable jugular lymphatic sacs in a setting for first trimester screening for Down syndrome, and to evaluate the influence of jugular lymphatic sacs on the screening performance for chromosomal abnormalities.
Methods: A prospective single center study (Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands) over a period of one year (January 2003–February 2004). First trimester nuchal translucency measurement was performed in a study population of 415 fetuses. Additionally, the transversal plane with the spine and mandible was visualized to verify the presence of jugular lymphatic sacs. The jugular lymphatic sacs were measured anterior-posterior. The association between nuchal translucency and jugular lymphatic sacs was tested.
Results: Follow-up was complete in 406 cases (97.8%). Jugular lymphatic sacs could be visualized in 98 out of 415 (23.5%). The nuchal translucency thickness and the mean of the left and right jugular lymphatic sac were significantly correlated.
Conclusion: The sonographic visualization of jugular lymphatic sacs significantly predicts chromosomal abnormalities, although nuchal translucency is a better predictor. Nuchal translucency and jugular lymphatic sacs are strongly correlated and therefore not applicable in a combination test.
©2008 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin New York
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- Congress Calendar
- Congress Calendar
- Index Volume 36 (2008)
- Index Volume 36 (2008) - Contents
- Index - Subjects
- Index - Subjects
- Index - Authors
- Index - Authors
- Acknowledgement
- Acknowledgement
Articles in the same Issue
- Expert panel recommendation
- Diagnosis and treatment of peripartum bleeding
- Original articles – Obstetrics
- Transvaginal ultrasonographic measurement of cervical length in predicting intra-amniotic infection and impending preterm delivery in preterm labor: a comparison with amniotic fluid white blood cell count
- Visfatin/Pre-B cell colony-enhancing factor in amniotic fluid in normal pregnancy, spontaneous labor at term, preterm labor and prelabor rupture of membranes: an association with subclinical intrauterine infection in preterm parturition
- The antenatal identification of funisitis with a rapid MMP-8 bedside test
- Can neonatal myasthenia gravis be predicted?
- Blood loss in low-lying placenta: placental edge to cervical internal os distance of less vs. more than 2 cm
- History-indicated cerclage: practice patterns of maternal-fetal medicine specialists in the USA
- Original article – Fetus
- Jugular lymphatic sacs in the first trimester of pregnancy: the prevalence and the potential value in screening for chromosomal abnormalities
- Umbilical cord thickness in the first and early second trimesters and perinatal outcome
- Sex-specific charts for abdominal circumference in term and near-term Caucasian newborns
- Prediction of adverse perinatal outcome at term in small-for-gestational age fetuses: comparison of growth velocity vs. customized assessment
- Original article – Newborn
- Neonatal neurological morbidity associated with uterine rupture
- Short communication
- Long-term epidural block treatment in patients with early threatening preterm delivery and vaginal fetal engagement
- Letters to the editor
- Milk of women with lifetime consumption of the recommended daily intake of fish fatty acids should constitute the basis for the DHA contents of infant formula
- Reversible facial nerve palsy secondary to nasal continuous positive airway pressure
- Optimal timing of elective cesarean delivery for twins
- Congress Calendar
- Congress Calendar
- Index Volume 36 (2008)
- Index Volume 36 (2008) - Contents
- Index - Subjects
- Index - Subjects
- Index - Authors
- Index - Authors
- Acknowledgement
- Acknowledgement