Obstetric scanning plays an important role in first trimester screening. First trimester screening checks that a baby is developing as expected, determines the number of fetuses and estimates gestational time.
23/03/2022
Obstetric scanning plays an important role in first trimester screening. First trimester screening checks that a baby is developing as expected, determines the number of fetuses and estimates gestational time.
Obstetric ultrasound and Non-Invasive Perinatal Testing (NIPT)
Cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) is fetal DNA that circulates through the maternal blood. cffDNA testing is non-invasive and is used as a prenatal diagnosis tool for older pregnant women.
While cffDNA testing is valuable in detecting typical aneuploidy, first trimester fetal ultrasound is better at detecting non-genetic structural abnormalities including spina bifida and anencephaly.
The International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (ISUOG) guidelines state that all women should be offered a first-trimester ultrasound scan, regardless of their intention to undergo cffDNA testing. cffDNA testing should not replace first-trimester ultrasound.
Did you know:
In the first trimester highly trained sonographers can perform an age appropriate morphology scan and detect the absence of a nasal bone, bladder absence or exstrophy, oesophageal atresia, midgut herniation, limb anomalies, cystic hygroma, facial clefts, situs inversus, encephalocele, diaphragmatic hernia, and a range of placental anomalies.
Qscan Radiology Clinics provides a wide variety of specialised obstetric services, including both Nuchal Translucency Screening (combined with first trimester biochemistry) and First-Trimester Fetal Morphology studies.
Our highly qualified nuchal-accredited obstetric sonographers can provide you peace of mind by performing early screening for structural anomalies.
Ultrasound services are offered at every Qscan Radiology Clinic. Click here to find a clinic near you.