Increased nuchal translucency thickness in a fetus at risk for beta-thalassaemia

In Greece and other Mediterranean countries up to 10% of the population are carriers of beta-thalassaemia and this is the most common indication for chorion villus sampling (CVS): Cytogenetic analysis of the samples is not carried out routinely, but is confined only to women aged 35 years or more. In this report we present a case that illustrates how the measurement of fetal nuchal translucency may be useful in selecting the cases where in addition to the DNA analysis for beta-thalassaemia the samples can be tested for chromosomal defects.