NT Scan Vs. Panorama

Thu Mar 07, 2013 2:02 pm

Hi ladies!

I had an appt yesterday and my midwife discussed choices of getting an NT scan or a panorama for genetic testing for abnormalities. (downs syndrome, Trisomy, turners, etc)

Is anyone familiar with Panorama--the new blood test that can tell baby's gender and tests for about 5 genetic disorders? We were thinking of getting it. I'd love to hear anyone else's experience with it.

Also, has anyone declined the NT scan? Here in NJ where autism is high and increasing, some people believe that overuse of ultrasounds in pregnancy contribute to autism. No solid research proving this, but one of the theories (such as mercury in vaccinations and GMO food)

Thanks!
Sita

Thu Mar 07, 2013 2:59 pm

I have never heard of that, it sounds interesting. I skipped the NT and first trimester blood screen with my first and she turned out fine. She did end up having a birth defect found through newborn screening, but it never would have been picked up by any of the prenatal ones. She's otherwise totally healthy and 100% normal. We did opt to do all screenings this time just to cover our bases.

As far as an NT adding to Autism, there are people who get way more than 3 ultrasounds a pregnancy and their kids are fine. I doubt one short ultrasound at 11-14 weeks will make that much of a difference.

DD Lilah 10/27/11

Thu Mar 07, 2013 3:56 pm

I think they will blame autism on anything. I'm high risk and have a number of ultrasounds during pregnancy. Sometimes you have to weigh the risks with the benefits. That said, I chose the blood test vs the NT scan this time (had the scan with my son) and that was at my OB's advice. The NT scan, coupled with blood work and other factors, only gives you a risk scenario. So "your baby has a 1 in 250 chance of having Downs", etc. It can never tell you that your baby has a problem, it just may suggest that you have further testing. The blood test, while not 100% accurate either, has the same sensitivity as CVS testing. If positive, it very likely means your baby has that particular condition, etc.

Anyway, we chose the blood test, minus the gender portion.

Amanda



Mason - 3/6/12

Thu Mar 07, 2013 6:45 pm

Hello I'm from Aug. I had the NT scan and a bloodtest called MaterniT21 which checks for the same disorders and tells you the sex. So the test came out neg and I'm having a girl.

Thu Mar 07, 2013 10:07 pm

I opt out of the NT Test everytime. I think a lot of people (not talking about you girls here) just do it because they want another u/s or to find out the sex early. To me, that isn't a good enough time to waste the tech's/Dr's time.

Fri Mar 08, 2013 11:38 am

Thanks for the info! My midwife made it seem like the blood test results for genetic testing were hard to read and wouldn't be as helpful as NT Scan, but from what i understand here, it seems just as reliable.

While I know many people want to see the baby via ultrasound often and early, I feel cozy and content connecting with baby without ultrasound right now, surprisingly fine with waiting for the 20 week anatomy scan. I guess now I understand why couples are happy not knowing baby's gender until birth!

Fri Mar 08, 2013 3:07 pm

I am glad you got to talk to your midwife. I had the Nt scan this pregnancy and last pregnancy cause I am high risk. For my age of 37 and I had a son that we induced labor on cause he had Potters Syndrome. Which means he had no kidneys and no bladder. My nt scan this time came back on the high side of normal so that's why I had the blood test done. I am happy that it came back negative and really happy to find out baby is a girl. Now I can concentrate and be happy the rest of my pregnancy since this is our last.

Sun Mar 10, 2013 1:06 pm

I have no idea about the Panorama, but the NT scan is one of the three big U/S recommended in France. Actually I get a tiny one at each visit, but these three are more comprehensive and with a very specific aim. They are not done by my ob/gyn but by an ultrasound specialised obstetrician.

Also, there is a blood test that has to be done right after the ultrasound, since the findings are connected and they check for several trisomies (not only 21).

Sun Mar 10, 2013 5:53 pm

We did the nt u/s but decided against any blood work. My high risk doctor said b/w is trickier with twins and since we would not want an amnio either way, we decided not to risk false positives. Let us know which one you do.