Neck wrinkle measurement: The diagnostic method is so useful

Pregnant women are usually offered various more or less useful examinations - including neck wrinkle measurement. We explain in detail how important the diagnostic method is and whether you should consider it.

Neck wrinkle measurement: useful or not?

The neck wrinkle measurement can provide information about a possible deviation in the number of chromosomes. But in which cases is such an investigation necessary at all?

• Between the 11th and 14th week of pregnancy, the neck wrinkle measurement can take place and measures the strength of the water accumulation in the area of ​​the neck fold. Together with other parameters, including the age of the mother-to-be, the risk of trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), 13 or 18 can be calculated.
• However, this determined value is not 100% meaningful. Rather, it is a kind of probability that is to be examined with this diagnostic method. In this way, a completely healthy baby without chromosomal abnormalities can be born even at elevated values.
• Increased values ​​are therefore no evidence of a handicap for the unborn child. This method only provides a guideline and is therefore not used in a standardized manner for every pregnancy. Only in 30 percent of the striking values ​​is a chromosomal deviation actually determined by further examinations.
• A neck wrinkle measurement can be useful if the mother is at an older age, as this increases the likelihood of chromosomal deviations. In addition, diagnostics are often used if familial genetic previous illnesses are known.
• Ultimately, the unborn child's mother and father always have to decide for themselves whether they would like to have the neck wrinkle measurement done and what they would decide if the child was likely to become disabled.

You should also know this about neck wrinkle measurement

If you have decided to measure the neck wrinkles, it is important to consider some important aspects, such as the cost of the examination:

• First of all, you should know that the ideal time for the measurement is in the 12th week of pregnancy. Before that, the baby is too small and after the 14th week the fluid build-up disappears due to the child's further development.
• You should also note that the costs of the examination usually have to be borne by yourself. This can vary depending on the health insurance. As a rule, these fluctuate between 30 and 200 euros.
• If there is a striking finding, other methods of prenatal diagnosis are usually offered. These include a blood test in the expectant mother, an amniotic fluid examination or the so-called chorionic villus biopsy, a cell examination of the placenta.
• If you opt for neck wrinkle diagnosis, you generally do not have to worry that your baby may feel pain. The examination is carried out by abdominal wall ultrasound or, if the child is in an unfavorable position, by vaginal ultrasound.