{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,18]],"date-time":"2026-08-18T05:44:30Z","timestamp":1787031870485,"version":"build-2736575974"},"reference-count":46,"publisher":"Hamad bin Khalifa University Press (HBKU Press)","issue":"4","content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":[],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2025]]},"abstract":"\n Background:<\/jats:bold>\n Nuchal translucency (NT) measurement by ultrasound is used in the first trimester as a screening tool for genetic, chromosomal, and structural anomalies. As the NT measurement increases, the risk of an underlying abnormality also rises. This study aims to evaluate the significance of increased NT measurements within a local cohort, examining their associations with adverse pregnancy outcomes and their potential role in guiding clinical interventions.\n <\/jats:p>\n \n Methods:<\/jats:bold>\n Pregnancies with first-trimester fetal NT measurements greater than 2.5 mm were included. Participants were categorized into five groups based on NT measurements: \u22643.4 mm, 3.5\u20134.4 mm, 4.5\u20135.4 mm, 5.5\u20136.4 mm and \u22656.5 mm. The outcomes evaluated included chromosomal anomalies confirmed by invasive testing (such as Trisomy 21), major congenital anomalies involving any major organ system, and miscarriage or termination of pregnancy before 24 weeks of gestation. Gestational age at delivery, birthweight, small-for-dates (SFD) status, and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) were evaluated for infants born after 24 weeks of gestation without congenital anomalies.\n <\/jats:p>\n \n Results:<\/jats:bold>\n The median NT measurement among the 290 women in the study was 3.7 mm, ranging from 2.9 mm (25th centile) to 7.4 mm (75th centile). Overall, 43.5% of the participants were in the lowest NT category, while 15.9% were in the highest category. Maternal age, body mass index, and nationality were comparable between the groups. The odds of chromosomal anomalies increased with higher NT measurements, with odds ratio (OR) ranging from 2.50 to 4.02 (\n p<\/jats:italic>\n < 0.05), compared to the lowest NT group. Similarly, the odds of major congenital anomalies (OR: 2.20\u20134.20;\n p<\/jats:italic>\n < 0.05), multiple anomalies (OR: 5.61\u20138.19 in the highest three categories;\n p<\/jats:italic>\n < 0.005), and miscarriages (OR: 5.04\u201314.9 in the highest three categories;\n p<\/jats:italic>\n < 0.001) all increased with rising NT measurements. The odds of most chromosomal anomalies increased with NT, except for Trisomy 21, which was similar across the groups. Participants in the two lowest NT groups had 12.7- and 7.5-fold higher odds (both\n p<\/jats:italic>\n < 0.001) of achieving a pregnancy beyond 24 weeks without anomalies compared to those in the highest NT group. Among pregnancies resulting in viable non-anomalous deliveries, there were no significant differences in the gestational age at delivery, birthweight, incidence of SFD, or NICU admission.\n <\/jats:p>\n \n Conclusion:<\/jats:bold>\n Adverse outcomes, including chromosomal and congenital anomalies, increased with higher NT measurements, with a significant difference observed beyond 3.4 mm. These findings highlight the importance of early NT screening and targeted interventions to improve perinatal outcomes.\n <\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.5339\/qmj.2025.103","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,3]],"date-time":"2025-12-03T13:30:28Z","timestamp":1764768628000},"source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["The impact of increased nuchal translucency on pregnancy outcomes: A retrospective cohort study in Qatar"],"prefix":"10.5339","volume":"2025","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0006-9187-4169","authenticated-orcid":true,"given":"A.","family":"Adnan","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Women\u2019s Wellness and Research Centre, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"V.","family":"Chilaka","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Women\u2019s Wellness and Research Centre, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"R.","family":"Musa","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Women\u2019s Wellness and Research Centre, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"J.","family":"Vazhiyilethil","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Women\u2019s Wellness and Research Centre, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"A.","family":"Ibrahim","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Women\u2019s Wellness and Research Centre, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"N.","family":"Mohammad Ali","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Women\u2019s Wellness and Research Centre, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"SA.","family":"Qureshi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Women\u2019s Imaging, Women\u2019s Wellness and Research Centre, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"SB.","family":"Ahmed","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Women\u2019s Imaging, Women\u2019s Wellness and Research Centre, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"N.","family":"Khenyab","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Women\u2019s Wellness and Research Centre, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"F.","family":"Minisha","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Women\u2019s Wellness and Research Centre, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"T.","family":"Farrell","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Women\u2019s Wellness and Research Centre, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar"},{"name":"College of Medicine, Qatar University, Qatar*Correspondance: A. Adnan aadnan@hamad.qa"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"3277","reference":[{"issue":"(9):","key":"B1","series-title":"Prenat Diagn","first-page":"856\u201362","article-title":"Increased nuchal translucency and pregnancy outcome: A retrospective study of 1063 consecutive singleton pregnancies in a single referral institution","volume":"33","author":"\u00c4yr\u00e4s\n \nO","year":"2013"},{"issue":"(1):","key":"B2","series-title":"Am J Obstet Gynecol","first-page":"45\u201367","article-title":"Nuchal translucency and other first-trimester sonographic markers of chromosomal abnormalities","volume":"191","author":"Nicolaides\n \nKH","year":"2004"},{"issue":"(4):","key":"B3","series-title":"Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol","first-page":"376\u201383","article-title":"A mixture model of nuchal translucency thickness in screening for chromosomal defects","volume":"31","author":"Wright\n \nD","year":"2008"},{"issue":"(10):","key":"B4","series-title":"J Res Med Sci","first-page":"969\u201373","article-title":"Normal reference range of fetal nuchal translucency thickness in pregnant women in the first trimester, one centre study","volume":"20","author":"Sharifzadeh\n \nM","year":"2015"},{"issue":"(5):","key":"B5","series-title":"J Clin Diagn Res","first-page":"936\u201341","article-title":"The associations of nuchal translucency and fetal abnormalities; significance and implications","volume":"7","author":"Guraya\n \nSS","year":"2013"},{"issue":"(3):","key":"B6","series-title":"Int J Gynaecol Obstet","first-page":"1040\u20135","article-title":"Increased nuchal translucency with normal karyotype and genomic microarray analysis: A multicenter observational study","volume":"161","author":"Spataro\n \nE","year":"2023"},{"issue":"(3):","key":"B7","series-title":"Fetal Pediatr Pathol","first-page":"189\u201397","article-title":"Impact of increased nuchal translucency values on pregnancy outcomes: A tertiary center experience","volume":"40","author":"Ozyuncu\n \nO","year":"2021"},{"issue":"(3):","key":"B8","series-title":"J Clin Diagn Res","first-page":"QC12\u20136","article-title":"Pregnancy outcome of abnormal nuchal translucency: A systematic review","volume":"11","author":"Roozbeh\n \nN","year":"2017"},{"key":"B9","series-title":"Front Pediatr","first-page":"1104179","article-title":"Increased nuchal translucency in children with congenital heart defects and normal karyotype\u2014is there a correlation with mortality?","volume":"11","author":"Kristensen\n \nR","year":"2023"},{"issue":"(10):","key":"B10","series-title":"J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med","first-page":"1749\u201354","article-title":"Application of chromosomal microarray in fetuses with increased nuchal translucency","volume":"33","author":"Zhao\n \nXR","year":"2020"},{"issue":"(8):","key":"B11","series-title":"Zhonghua Yi Xue Yi Chuan Xue Za Zhi","first-page":"833\u20138","article-title":"[Application of chromosomal microarray analysis in 815 fetuses with increased nuchal translucency during early pregnancy]","volume":"37","author":"Yang\n \nD","year":"2020"},{"issue":"(1):","key":"B12","series-title":"Mol Cytogenet","first-page":"22","article-title":"Prenatal diagnosis and early childhood outcome of fetuses with extremely large nuchal translucency","volume":"16","author":"Zhou\n \nH","year":"2023"},{"key":"B13","series-title":"Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand","first-page":"2499\u2013510","article-title":"Outcomes of pregnancies with varying levels of nuchal translucency measurements: A population-based retrospective study in Ontario, Canada","volume":"103","author":"Bellai-Dussault\n \nK","year":"2024;"},{"issue":"(13):","key":"B14","series-title":"Prenat Diagn","first-page":"1685\u201393","article-title":"Increased nuchal translucency before 11 weeks of gestation: Reason for referral?","volume":"41","author":"Lugthart\n \nMA","year":"2021"},{"issue":"(5):","key":"B15","series-title":"Prenat Diagn","first-page":"345\u20139","article-title":"Pregnancy outcome in fetuses with increased nuchal translucency and normal karyotype","volume":"22","author":"Senat\n \nMV","year":"2002"},{"issue":"(10):","key":"B16","series-title":"J Gynecol Obstet Hum Reprod","first-page":"102482","article-title":"Follow-up of increased nuchal translucency: Results of a study of 398 cases","volume":"51","author":"Boutot\n \nM","year":"2022"},{"issue":"(3):","key":"B17","series-title":"NUKAL TRANSLUSENS ARTMI VE KARYOTP NORMAL GEBELKLERDE PERNATAL SONU\u00c7LARIN DEERLENDRLMES stanbul T\u0131p Fak\u00fcltesi Dergisi","first-page":"117\u201321","volume":"79","author":"Tarhan\n \nT","year":"2016;"},{"issue":"(2):","key":"B18","series-title":"Turk J Obstet Gynecol","first-page":"100\u20136","article-title":"Increased nuchal translucency and pregnancy outcomes: Experience of Bakent University Ankara Hospital","volume":"16","author":"Uysal\n \nN","year":"2019"},{"issue":"(1):","key":"B19","series-title":"Duzce Med J","first-page":"38\u201343","article-title":"Increased nuchal translucency and pregnancy outcomes: A tertiary center data","volume":"26","author":"Bac\u0131\n \nM","year":"2024;"},{"issue":"(1):","key":"B20","series-title":"Sci Rep","first-page":"27191","article-title":"Genetic correlation between fetal nuchal translucency thickening and cystic hygroma and exploration of pregnancy outcome","volume":"14","author":"Zheng\n \nJ","year":"2024"},{"issue":"(2):","key":"B21","series-title":"J Prenat Med","first-page":"23\u20136","article-title":"Increased nuchal traslucency in normal karyotype fetuses","volume":"5","author":"De Domenico\n \nR","year":"2011"},{"issue":"(3):","key":"B22","series-title":"Prenat Diagn","first-page":"235\u201343","article-title":"The added value of detailed early anomaly scan in fetuses with increased nuchal translucency","volume":"37","author":"Zalel\n \nY","year":"2017"},{"issue":"(10):","key":"B23","series-title":"Prenat Diagn","first-page":"1305\u201315","article-title":"Increased nuchal translucency after low-risk noninvasive prenatal testing: What should we tell prospective parents?","volume":"41","author":"Kelley\n \nJ","year":"2021"},{"issue":"(9):","key":"B1","series-title":"Prenat Diagn","first-page":"856\u201362","article-title":"Increased nuchal translucency and pregnancy outcome: A retrospective study of 1063 consecutive singleton pregnancies in a single referral institution","volume":"33","author":"\u00c4yr\u00e4s\n \nO","year":"2013"},{"issue":"(1):","key":"B2","series-title":"Am J Obstet Gynecol","first-page":"45\u201367","article-title":"Nuchal translucency and other first-trimester sonographic markers of chromosomal abnormalities","volume":"191","author":"Nicolaides\n \nKH","year":"2004"},{"issue":"(4):","key":"B3","series-title":"Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol","first-page":"376\u201383","article-title":"A mixture model of nuchal translucency thickness in screening for chromosomal defects","volume":"31","author":"Wright\n \nD","year":"2008"},{"issue":"(10):","key":"B4","series-title":"J Res Med Sci","first-page":"969\u201373","article-title":"Normal reference range of fetal nuchal translucency thickness in pregnant women in the first trimester, one centre study","volume":"20","author":"Sharifzadeh\n \nM","year":"2015"},{"issue":"(5):","key":"B5","series-title":"J Clin Diagn Res","first-page":"936\u201341","article-title":"The associations of nuchal translucency and fetal abnormalities; significance and implications","volume":"7","author":"Guraya\n \nSS","year":"2013"},{"issue":"(3):","key":"B6","series-title":"Int J Gynaecol Obstet","first-page":"1040\u20135","article-title":"Increased nuchal translucency with normal karyotype and genomic microarray analysis: A multicenter observational study","volume":"161","author":"Spataro\n \nE","year":"2023"},{"issue":"(3):","key":"B7","series-title":"Fetal Pediatr Pathol","first-page":"189\u201397","article-title":"Impact of increased nuchal translucency values on pregnancy outcomes: A tertiary center experience","volume":"40","author":"Ozyuncu\n \nO","year":"2021"},{"issue":"(3):","key":"B8","series-title":"J Clin Diagn Res","first-page":"QC12\u20136","article-title":"Pregnancy outcome of abnormal nuchal translucency: A systematic review","volume":"11","author":"Roozbeh\n \nN","year":"2017"},{"key":"B9","series-title":"Front Pediatr","first-page":"1104179","article-title":"Increased nuchal translucency in children with congenital heart defects and normal karyotype\u2014is there a correlation with mortality?","volume":"11","author":"Kristensen\n \nR","year":"2023"},{"issue":"(10):","key":"B10","series-title":"J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med","first-page":"1749\u201354","article-title":"Application of chromosomal microarray in fetuses with increased nuchal translucency","volume":"33","author":"Zhao\n \nXR","year":"2020"},{"issue":"(8):","key":"B11","series-title":"Zhonghua Yi Xue Yi Chuan Xue Za Zhi","first-page":"833\u20138","article-title":"[Application of chromosomal microarray analysis in 815 fetuses with increased nuchal translucency during early pregnancy]","volume":"37","author":"Yang\n \nD","year":"2020"},{"issue":"(1):","key":"B12","series-title":"Mol Cytogenet","first-page":"22","article-title":"Prenatal diagnosis and early childhood outcome of fetuses with extremely large nuchal translucency","volume":"16","author":"Zhou\n \nH","year":"2023"},{"key":"B13","series-title":"Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand","first-page":"2499\u2013510","article-title":"Outcomes of pregnancies with varying levels of nuchal translucency measurements: A population-based retrospective study in Ontario, Canada","volume":"103","author":"Bellai-Dussault\n \nK","year":"2024;"},{"issue":"(13):","key":"B14","series-title":"Prenat Diagn","first-page":"1685\u201393","article-title":"Increased nuchal translucency before 11 weeks of gestation: Reason for referral?","volume":"41","author":"Lugthart\n \nMA","year":"2021"},{"issue":"(5):","key":"B15","series-title":"Prenat Diagn","first-page":"345\u20139","article-title":"Pregnancy outcome in fetuses with increased nuchal translucency and normal karyotype","volume":"22","author":"Senat\n \nMV","year":"2002"},{"issue":"(10):","key":"B16","series-title":"J Gynecol Obstet Hum Reprod","first-page":"102482","article-title":"Follow-up of increased nuchal translucency: Results of a study of 398 cases","volume":"51","author":"Boutot\n \nM","year":"2022"},{"issue":"(3):","key":"B17","series-title":"NUKAL TRANSLUSENS ARTMI VE KARYOTP NORMAL GEBELKLERDE PERNATAL SONU\u00c7LARIN DEERLENDRLMES stanbul T\u0131p Fak\u00fcltesi Dergisi","first-page":"117\u201321","volume":"79","author":"Tarhan\n \nT","year":"2016;"},{"issue":"(2):","key":"B18","series-title":"Turk J Obstet Gynecol","first-page":"100\u20136","article-title":"Increased nuchal translucency and pregnancy outcomes: Experience of Bakent University Ankara Hospital","volume":"16","author":"Uysal\n \nN","year":"2019"},{"issue":"(1):","key":"B19","series-title":"Duzce Med J","first-page":"38\u201343","article-title":"Increased nuchal translucency and pregnancy outcomes: A tertiary center data","volume":"26","author":"Bac\u0131\n \nM","year":"2024;"},{"issue":"(1):","key":"B20","series-title":"Sci Rep","first-page":"27191","article-title":"Genetic correlation between fetal nuchal translucency thickening and cystic hygroma and exploration of pregnancy outcome","volume":"14","author":"Zheng\n \nJ","year":"2024"},{"issue":"(2):","key":"B21","series-title":"J Prenat Med","first-page":"23\u20136","article-title":"Increased nuchal traslucency in normal karyotype fetuses","volume":"5","author":"De Domenico\n \nR","year":"2011"},{"issue":"(3):","key":"B22","series-title":"Prenat Diagn","first-page":"235\u201343","article-title":"The added value of detailed early anomaly scan in fetuses with increased nuchal translucency","volume":"37","author":"Zalel\n \nY","year":"2017"},{"issue":"(10):","key":"B23","series-title":"Prenat Diagn","first-page":"1305\u201315","article-title":"Increased nuchal translucency after low-risk noninvasive prenatal testing: What should we tell prospective parents?","volume":"41","author":"Kelley\n \nJ","year":"2021"}],"container-title":["Qatar Medical 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