Cervical length at 23 weeks is < or = 15 mm in < 2% of the population; this group contains about 90% and 60% of the women delivering at < or = 28 and < or = 32 weeks, respectively. Measurement of cervical length provides accurate prediction of risk for early preterm delivery.

Increased fetal nuchal translucency is associated with chromosomal abnormalities, many fetal defects and genetic syndromes. In the majority of cases a series of antenatal investigations, including fetal karyotyping, detailed scans, fetal echocardiography, as well as genetic testing and infection screening, that can be completed by 20 weeks of gestation would distinguish between the pregnancies destined to result in adverse outcome and those leading to the delivery of infants without major defects.

No abstract