Anyone know anything about this???

[badunkadunk13]

OK...I just spoke with my Dr. today and she told me that I need to see a specialist for another, more "in depth" ultrasound. My first one she said the radiologist noticed an abnormality in the spine. She said that it seems that there was fluid around the spine at the base of the cranium. She wouldn't tell me what this "could" be, so of course I've been googling all day trying to figure out what it is. The closest that I've come to finding something is Spina Bifida...but no idea if that describes the situation or not.

I'm not freaking out yet...just a little worried and would like to know what's up. If I need to worry or freak out, there'll be plenty of time to do that after the next ultrasound "verifying" the results. Anyway...anyone with any ideas or information, it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[angfento]

https://www.babycenter.com/0_nuchal-translucency-screening_118.bc


I'm not sure if it's the same thing.. but during weeks 11-14 there is a fluid in the spinal cord, that when measured can determine your risk for Down's. I just had mine measured via Ultrasound. Nuchal Translucency is the test. I just saw that you are 19 weeks though, so I am not sure if that is the same test that I am talking about? Sorry I couldn't be of more help! Are you over 35 or have Down's in your family?

 

[abigail_71]

My understanding is that in an Nuchal scan for downs syndrome they actually measure the pad of fat at the back of the neck not the fluid, so I shouldn't think its anything to do with that.

I hope you are ok x

 

[angfento]

When I had my test done... I looked it up and found this... Not sure about the fat? The scan is carried out at 11-13 weeks pregnancy and assesses the amount of fluid behind the neck of the fetus - also known as 'the nuchal translucency'. Fetuses at risk of Down tend to have a higher amount of fluid around the neck.

 

[dellamaria]

My understanding is that in an Nuchal scan for downs syndrome they actually measure the pad of fat at the back of the neck not the fluid, so I shouldn't think its anything to do with that.

I hope you are ok x

It's not the fat they measure, it's the fluid at the back of neck and spinal cord. My youngest has down syndrome so I had an NT scan with this one in March and that was what they measured. The base of the cranium thing I'm not sure about but extra fluid on the spine is a hard marker for Down Syndrome... but that said a lot of the times these things are spotted on routine scans it turns out to be nothing so I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[charlottesma]

A NT scan definitely measures fluid, but it starts to dispensate after 14 weeks so the test is not valid after that.

A friend of mine who has spina bifida had it picked up through ultrasound at about 20 weeks because of problems with the spine, but I'm sure there are other things it could be, Why not phone your MW and see if she has any more info that might put your mind at rest or at least answer your questions.

 

[badunkadunk13]

I'm only 26 years old and I don't know of any Down's Syndrome in my family. Like I said, if something does turn out to be wrong we'll have plenty of time to worry after it's "confirmed" by the next ultrasound, so I'm not starting to freak out just yet. Thanks to everyone that responded, I really just wanted to know if anyone else has experienced anything like this. Hopefully it's just a blur or something on the ultrasound.

 

[angelstardust]

Did they say anything about head shape?

Spina bifida is a scary word to hear (and fluid on the spine is one of the major markers) but there are different types, some very mild. It could just be a simple mistake, an ultrasound shadow in the wrong place, it could be a small cyst.

Hoping for the best for you and baby

 

[HeidiLSparks]

I'm not sure honey, but I hope everything is okay!!!!

 

[Tam]

I hope everything goes OK at your next scan hun! x

 

[Hello baby]

I think its great that you are not letting it worry you...I don't have anything to add as far as what it could be. I just wanted to tell you I hope everything goes well with the next scan and please keep us posted as you will be in our thoughts.