Center for Medical Genetics Ltd – Specialized Center for Prenatal Diagnosis
Karel Čutka, MD, David Čutka, MD, Novohradská 68/1806, České Budějovice

NT done by a sonographer in an accredited center in the first trimester (13 weeks gestation)

1. The nuchal translucency scan (NT) CMG, which is accredited by FMF London, can be done by a patient’s request for a fee of CZK 1000 (the procedure is not covered by health insurance). In case of a higher NT measurement it is possible to predict the risk of Down syndrome already in the first trimester (13 weeks gestation), in case of a very high risk it is possible to test chromosomes from the placenta (chorionic villus sampling – CVS) for the presence of Down syndrome already in the first trimester. All other patients (i.e. all women who didn’t have CVS done in the first trimester) are recommended to have the Triple test (AFP, HCG, uE3) done from14+0 weeks gestation by their gynaecologists; this means doing the full Integrated Test!!!
   The nuchal translucency scan (NT) increases the detection rate for Down syndrome to 95% (the complete Integrated Test including NT). The biochemical integrated test without NT has a detection rate of 90%.
   The integrated test has the highest detection rate for Down syndrome, higher than the first-trimester test alone. Moreover, it also includes AFP and so it also detects and abdominal wall defects and open neural tube defects.
2. 2. The nuchal translucency scan (NT) is fully covered by health insurance (and therefore is free for all patients) in case of being done based on medical indication (a patient has an application form from her doctor): low PaPP-A levels (low levels in a patient’s blood may indicate a fetus with a problem), in case of medicine used by a patient in the first trimester, twins, congenital anomalies in a family history and any suspected pathology in pregnancy.