Assessing fetal risk in the first ultrasound scan

The first ultrasound scan performed when a woman finds out she is pregnant is usually at week 12 of pregnancy. This ultrasound scan makes it possible to determine the gestational age and assess whether it is a single or twin pregnancy, but it also allows the fetal risk of abnormalities such as Down syndrome to be evaluated. To do this, two measurements are taken.

First, the specialist will measure the crown-rump length (CRL). This is the distance between the top of the head and the bottom of the spine.

Second, it is important to know the nuchal translucency (NT) measurement.