Sex determination of the foetus is not done at this centre. It is a punishable offence under the PC-PNDT Act, 1994.
The NT scan is one of the most important scans of early pregnancy, and also one of the most time-sensitive: it can only be done in a three-week window. Many families in Okhla and Jamia Nagar come to us a few days too late, so here is what you need to know to plan it.
What is the NT scan?
NT stands for nuchal translucency — a small pocket of fluid under the skin at the back of the baby's neck. Every baby has some. During the scan, the radiologist measures its thickness very precisely, checks whether the nasal bone is visible, and looks at the baby's heartbeat and early structure.
The measurement is combined with the mother's age and, usually, a blood test called the double marker. Together they estimate the chance of chromosomal conditions such as Down syndrome.
When should it be done?
Between 11 weeks 0 days and 13 weeks 6 days of pregnancy, counted from the first day of the last period, or by the dates from your first scan. Before 11 weeks the baby is too small to measure reliably; after 14 weeks the fluid naturally reduces and the measurement loses its meaning.
The safest plan is to book the NT scan as soon as your early pregnancy scan gives you a due date, aiming for around 12 weeks.
How to prepare
- Drink 2–3 glasses of water about an hour before; a partly full bladder helps.
- No fasting is needed.
- Bring a photo ID (required by law for every pregnancy scan), your doctor's prescription and your earlier scan report.
- Allow some extra time: if the baby is lying in a position that hides the neck, you may be asked to walk around and come back.
Reading the result: screening, not diagnosis
The NT scan gives a risk, such as 1 in 2,500, not a yes-or-no answer. A 'low risk' result is reassuring but does not guarantee the baby is unaffected. A 'high risk' result does not mean the baby has a condition — most babies with a raised risk are healthy.
If the risk is high, your doctor will discuss further options such as NIPT (a blood test of the baby's DNA in the mother's blood) or a diagnostic test such as amniocentesis. A raised NT measurement is also a reason to look closely at the baby's heart later, with a fetal echo.
The NT scan does not replace the anomaly scan
Even with a normal NT scan, the Level II anomaly scan at 18–22 weeks is needed. By then the baby's organs are large enough to examine one by one.
Common questions
Is the NT scan done through the abdomen or vaginally?
Usually through the abdomen. Occasionally a transvaginal scan gives a clearer view, and it is done only with your consent.
Can the sex of the baby be seen on the NT scan?
Determining or disclosing the sex of the baby is a crime under the PC-PNDT Act and is not done at 7 Star Healthcare at any stage of pregnancy.
What if I have missed the 14-week window?
The NT measurement cannot be done later, but other screening options remain, such as a quadruple marker blood test or NIPT. Speak to your gynaecologist.
At 7 Star Healthcare, Okhla
This article is general information, not medical advice. Please consult a doctor about your own health.