"Nuchal" means neck; nuchal ultrasound is carried out at 11 to 14 weeks to look at thickness of a certain area at the back of the fetus'' neck. A particularly thick nuchal pad has been linked with a higher risk of suffering from heart defects, Down syndrome, or some other chromosomal problem. A nuchal scan may follow or be followed by an AFP₃, or Triple test, to gain more insight into possible problems. Subsequent amniocentesis, or another invasive diagnostic procedure will help confirm or rule out these problems. Ask your doctor for a complete explanation of all procedures.

What the scan shows The picture shows a normal fetus. The dotted lines indicate where the nuchal pad would be thicker, as in Down syndrome.

The risk of having a baby with Down''s syndrome is related to your age, although parents of any age can have a Down''s child. It is not related to how many children you have had, whether you have a new partner, or to drugs that you might have taken at or around the time of conception.