International Journal of Infertility & Fetal Medicine

Register      Login

VOLUME 6 , ISSUE 1 ( January-April, 2015 ) > List of Articles

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Nasal Bone Length Normogram of Mid-second Trimester Euploid Fetuses of an Indian Population

Seneesh Kumar Vikraman, Vipin Chandra, Bijoy Balakrishanan, Amruta Gudi, Meenu Batra, Gopinathan Kannoli

Citation Information : Vikraman SK, Chandra V, Balakrishanan B, Gudi A, Batra M, Kannoli G. Nasal Bone Length Normogram of Mid-second Trimester Euploid Fetuses of an Indian Population. Int J Infertil Fetal Med 2015; 6 (1):25-29.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10016-1097

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Published Online: 01-04-2012

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2015; The Author(s).


Abstract

Introduction

Down syndrome (DS) is the most common chromosomal aneuploidy to result in a live birth. Absent nasal bone has been consistently observed in fetuses with ds. Multiple studies have been conducted to measure and compare the nasal bone length (NBL) in different races and ethnicity and is found to vary in size. In countries, such as India where often only the second trimester scan is performed for screening of aneuploidies, NBL could be regarded as a useful marker.

Aims and objectives

To estimate the NBL of fetuses at 18 to 22 + 6 weeks gestational age in an Indian population, establish a normogram and compare it with that of the Caucasian population.

Materials and methods

Prospective observational study in a tertiary care hospital with 500 antenatal subjects after considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Results

The normogram was established and found to be comparable to previously established ones for Indian subjects. The 5th centiles for 18-18.6, 19-19.6, 20-20.6, 21-21.6 and 22- 22.6 weeks of gestations were 3.4, 3. 5, 4.2, 4.3 and 5.4 mm respectively. The NBL increased with gestational age (GA), and the mean NBL was 5.48 mm. No correlation was noted with maternal age, sex of fetus or religion. The NBLs were significantly shorter than those of the Caucasian population.

Conclusion

Mean NBL values of Indian population are less than the mean NBL of Caucasian population. This along with the GA needs to be considered in counseling patients and decisions regarding further invasive and noninvasive tests.

How to cite this article

Vikraman SK, Chandra V, Balakrishanan B, Gudi A, Batra M, Kannoli G. Nasal Bone Length Normogram of Mid-second Trimester Euploid Fetuses of an Indian Population. Int J Infertil Fetal Med 2015;6(1):25-29.


PDF Share
  1. Epidemiology of Down syndrome. Ment Retard Dev Disabil Res Rev 2007; 13:221-227.
  2. Fetal nasal bone length: a marker for down syndrome in the second trimester. J Ultra Med 2002;21:1387-1394.
  3. Fetal nuchal translucency: Ultrasound screening for chromosomal defects in first trimester of pregnancy. Br Med J 1992;304:867-889.
  4. Nasal bone assessment in prenatal screening for trisomy 21. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2006;195: 1219-1230.
  5. Donald School J Ultra Obstet Gynecol 2010;4(2):97-116.
  6. Second trimester ultrasound screening for chromosomal abnormalities. Prenat Diagn 2002;22(4):296-230.
  7. Ultrasound evaluation of the length of the fetal nasal bones throughout gestation. Ultra Obstet Gynecol 1995;5:304-307.
  8. Nasal bone hypoplasia in trisomy 21 at 15-22 weeks’ gestation. Ultra Obstet Gynecol 2003;21:15-18.
  9. The influence of ethnic origin on first trimester biochemical markers of chromosomal. Prenat Diagn 2000;20(6):491-494.
  10. Evaluation of the reference values for the fetal nasal bone length at 16 to 25 weeks of gestational age in an Indian population. Prenat Diagn 2013;33(8):800-803.
  11. Nasal bone length throughout gestation: normal ranges based on 3537 fetal ultrasound measurements. Ultra Obstet Gynecol 2003;21:152-115.
  12. Ultrasonographic measurement of fetal nasal bone in a low-risk population at 19 to 22 gestational weeks. Ultra Obstet Gynecol 2003;23:152-153.
  13. Likelihood ratios for fetal trisomy 21 based on nasal bone length in the second trimester: how best to define hypoplasia? Ultra Obstet Gynecol 2007;30: 271-274.
  14. Defining nasal bone hypoplasia in secondtrimester Down syndrome screening: does the use of multiples of the median improve screening efficacy? Am J Obstet Gynecol 2007;197(4):361.e1-361.e4.
  15. Pilot study on the midsecond trimester examination of fetal nasal bone in the Chinese population. Prenat Diagn 2004;24(2):87-91.
  16. A Thai reference for normal fetal nasal bone length at 15 to 23 weeks’ gestation. J Ultra Med 2009; 28(1):49-53.
  17. Ultrasonographic measurement of fetal nasal bone length in the second trimester in Korean population. Prenat Diagn 2007;27(2): 154-157.
  18. Mid-second trimester measurement of fetal nasal bone length in the Japanese population. J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2006;32(4):403-407.
PDF Share
PDF Share

© Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) LTD.