The link between nuchal translucency and congenital heart disease.

The nuchal translucency is defined as a transient subcutaneous collection of fluid behind the fetal neck seen on ultrasonography at 11-14 weeks of gestation. In this current overview it was observed the relationship between increased nuchal translucency (NT) and fetal heart structure and function in chromosomally normal fetuses. Fetuses with an increases NT have an increased risk for congenital heart disease (CHD) and the combination between an increases NT, tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and an abnormal ductus venosus (DV) Doppler flow profile is a strong marker for CHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]