Abnormal ductus venosus blood flow in fetuses with normal nuchal translucency (NT)

Objective: To assess the incidence of reverse flow during atrial contraction at ductus venosus in fetuses with normal nuchal translucency and correlation with cardiac abnormalities. Methods: Ductus venosus Doppler ultrasound blood flow velocity waveform were obtained in 932 fetuses with 11–14 weeks' gestation during measurement of nuchal translucency. Results: Among 932 fetuses, NT was increased in 43 (4.6%). The incidence of reverse flow was observed in 5.4% of fetuses with normal NT (2.5 mm) and 13.9% of fetuses with increased NT (>2.5 mm). Among fetuses with normal NT, there was no cardiac abnormalities observed. Conclusion: Reversed flow in fetuses with normal NT is not associated with cardiac abnormalities.