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The purpose of this study was to create a reference range nomogram of foetal neck circumference (FNC) and foetal neck area (FNA) in a Nigerian population using polynomial regression models. This cross-sectional study involved 723 pregnant women between 14 and 40 weeks of gestation. Axial measurements of the FNC and FNA were obtained in three measurements and the mean taken as the final value and the 5th, 50th and 95th percentiles for each foetal gestational age (FGA) were calculated. FNC and FNA correlated strongly with FGA, biparietal diameter, abdominal circumference, head circumference, and femoral length. Cubic models fitted the FNC vs FGA, and FNA vs. FGA values, and the mathematical relationships are given as: [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text]. Nomograms of FNC and FNA are thus generated. Impact statement The foetal neck circumference (FNC) and foetal neck area (FNA) can serve as predictors of foetal gestational age (FGA) since they correlate strongly and positively with FGA and known biometric parameters. The measurements obtained vary with the population studied. This study provides a nomogram of the FNA and FNC for an African population. The values correlate with that of the Caucasian population up to 32 weeks FGA. Interestingly, FNA and FNC measurements demonstrate high correlation but poor agreement in measurements between sonographers. Even though FNA and FNC could be used as predictors of foetal gestational age, the measurements vary significantly between sonographers. This is attributable to the difficulty in obtaining a satisfactory axial view of foetal neck, which is dependent on foetal presentation.

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Background: Screening of fetus for congenital anomaly has posed a great challenge to obstetricians and other caregivers even as early identification can improve the chances of getting the best possible outcome. Early fetal anomaly screening is usually done using nuchal translucency scan and other invasive procedures such Chorionic villus sampling and amniocentesis. Increase in Nuchal translucency thickness (NTT) above a certain baseline values has been found to predict fetus with anomaly. Baseline values in use are generated from Caucasian population even though these values are known to be population specific. Hence, their use on any given population may lead to errors and introduce potential misdiagnosis. Therefore, there is need for population specific baseline values of NTT.Objectives: The study is aimed at developing baseline values of NTT among apparently normal fetuses from pregnant women of Igbo ethnic group and to assess the relationship of NTT with maternal age and fetal gestational age (FGA).Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 658 pregnant women of Igbo Origin between 11-14 weeks of gestation at Esut Teaching Hospital (Parklane) Enugu from August 2017 to February 2018. Pilot study was done to determine the interobserver variation between sonographers while final NTT was calculated as mean of three separate measurements. The 5th, 50th and 95th percentiles were calculated using polynomial regression while Pearson correlation was used to determine the relationship between NTT, maternal age and FGA. Results: The NTT measurement was shown to be reliable and reproducible. Mean ± S/D NTT obtained was 0.92 ± 0.23 mm. There was a strong positive correlation between NTT measurements and FGA (r = 0.823, p < 0.001); while there was weak but positive correlation between NTT measurements and Maternal age (r = 0.055, p > 0.001). Conclusion: Nuchal translucency thickness measurement increases with increase in FGA while a baseline value of NTT among pregnant women of Igbo extraction has been generated.

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