Association Between Fetal Nuchal Translucency Measurements and Pregnancy Outcomes

To explore the optimal cutoff value of fetal nuchal translucency (NT) in the Shihezi region and analyze the predictive value of NT and high-risk factors for pregnancy outcomes.

This retrospective study included pregnant women who underwent NT screening at the First Affiliated Hospital of Shihezi University between January 2021 and December 2023. Prenatal examination results and pregnancy outcomes were collected and analyzed. The optimal cutoff value of NT for predicting pregnancy outcomes was calculated.

Using NT=2.5mm as the cutoff value, three groups were defined (<2.5mm, 2.5-3.5mm, ≥3.5mm). For NT≥2.0mm, the AUC for predicting outcomes was 0.652 (P<0.001). NT thickening was significantly associated with ≥2 abnormalities in soft ultrasound indicators, structural abnormalities (P<0.001), chromosomal abnormalities (P=0.008), and adverse outcomes (P<0.001). Compared with the NT<2.5 mm group, the risk of adverse outcomes increased with NT thickness (OR=2.009, 95% CI: 1.472-2.743, for 2.5-3.5mm; OR=13.090, 95% CI: 6.571-26.074, for ≥3.5mm). The top three adverse pregnancy outcomes were: 210 cases of macrosomia (7%), 158 cases of preterm birth (5.3%), and 109 cases of structural abnormalities (3.6%). As NT thickened, structural abnormalities, chromosomal abnormalities, and miscarriage were correlated with NT (P<0.05). HDP was associated with fetal growth retardation and preterm birth (P<0.001). Maternal age ≥35 was linked to structural abnormalities (P=0.017) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) (P<0.001).

NT=2.5mm is the cutoff value of NT thickening in Shihezi area; structural and chromosomal abnormalities and miscarriage are related to the degree of NT thickening; NT, age and HDP are independent risk factors affecting pregnancy outcome, and age is associated with GDM. NT cannot serve as an independent risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes and should be evaluated in conjunction with prenatal screening ultrasound and maternal high-risk factors.