Fetal nasal bone length at 19–26 weeks’ gestation in Vietnam

Abstract

Aim The purpose of this study was to establish the normal range of fetal nasal bone length (NBL) at the second trimester of gestation in Vietnamese pregnancies. Methods A prospective cross‐sectional study was carried out. A total of 2432 singleton pregnancies were evaluated for fetal NBL at 19–26 weeks 6 days between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2014. Three measurements of NBL were taken and the largest value was chosen. Fetal anomalies and neonatal abnormalities were excluded. Results Mean fetal NBL was 6.75 ± 0.82 mm and mean gestational age was 22.2 ± 1.4 weeks. Median NBL increased linearly with advancing gestational age: NBL (mm) = 0.26 × gestational age (weeks) + 1.03 (R2 = 0.20; P < 0.000). The fifth percentile of fetal NBL ranged from 4.6 to 6.3 mm, corresponding with gestational age 19–26 weeks. Conclusion The normal range of NBL was established at second trimester in Vietnamese pregnancies. NBL at the fifth percentile for gestational age was different from that of other Asian ethnicities. It is necessary to define short NBL or hypoplasia of NBL with regard to ethnicity.

Absent fetal nasal bone in the second trimester and risk of abnormal karyotype in a prescreened population of Chinese women

“…Nasal bone abnormalities, which include both nasal bone absence and hypoplasia, are commonly used as soft ultrasound markers to screen for Down syndrome during the first or second trimester . A number of studies have shown that fetal nasal bone length grows with advancing gestational age . It is relatively difficult to detect fetal nasal bone during early pregnancy, but the detection becomes easier as the fetus grows.…”