absent nasal bone

Hey hun, I have not been in this situation but did not want to read and run.

How soon will you get your hospital appointment as i guess the doctors there are really who you need to talk to. Other than that i guess if you want to know for sure if your bubs has Downs or not you will need to have a cvs or an amnio.

Just remember though that your risk of 1 in 55 is just a risk, it may be that 1 but it is more likely to be one of the 55, IYKWIM.

We were *kinda* the opposite. At our NT scan the NT was borderline (mid-high 2s) but because of our age (30) and a well defined nasal bone they ended up giving us a lower risk and recommended we didn't bother with further assessment.

Was it definite that they couldn't locate a nasal definition or that they couldn't see to try to define it? When I had my anatomy scan bub wasn't angled right and they couldn't see the definition of the bone. They ended up giving up trying to get baby on the right angle and just went by my NT risk result instead of looking forever.

A lack of nasal definition can (but doesn't always) suggest a chromosomal issue. There are all kinds of things that fall into that category, not just DS.

Had you already thought about what you would do if baby was found to have a medical/neurological issue while in utero?

Good luck, try hard not to stress - its early days yet

Edited by babyg

Hi there
When I had my scan at 13 wks they couldn't definately see a nasal bone. I was told not to worry cause everything else was fine...NT was 1.6 They said they would just check the nasal bone at the 20 wk scan.   
One way to think of it is that the nasal bone would be typically 1mm big so some US machines don't have the resolution to be able to see the nasal bone so clearly at this early stage.   I work in the industry (radiographer) so I know the sonographers and this is what they told me. BTW I'm 34 so even higher risk than you I would guess.
Everything was fine at my 20 wk scan and all I can say is that she has a petite little nose and not a big honker!! haha.
Honestly I would try not to worry a huge amount yet as the NT was absolutely fine and at this stage that is the biggest indicator of DS

As others have said, that bone is sooooo little it could be missed if baby is in a funny angle...

I agree with kebatkat, make sure your mw pushes so you get seen asap!

Sorry missed the first part of you post, if the NT screening was ok, I'd go with that.

Thanks for all your messages guys. It's been two days and I haven't heard anything so I'm going to chase it on Monday. I'm trying to keep calm about it but it is a little scary. In the end what will be will be and this will still be our first child together, my parents first grandchild, a brother or sister for my step son and a very welcome addition to our family. It's just that DS means your child won't have the wonderful life of opportunity you dream of for him or her and it's that thought that makes me really sad.

My mw said they looked for the nasal bone and couldn't see it. I had the maternal serum bloods done as well and it's the combined results that gives me my risk i think but she didn't really go in to it.... she wasn't very helpful.... said it wasn't her area of expertise. you can say that again!!! when I asked her to explain what a 1/55 chance meant she said well, it means you have a 1/45 chance of the baby not having DS. And I said hang on a minute, there isn't much of a difference between 45 and 55 - are you saying it's basically 50/50 (my mind was not in tip top shape for fractions at this point but she's got no excuse)...and she said yes! DH is in Tonga for work at the moment but thankfully i had a friend visiting when the midwife rang, who sat down afterwards and worked out that 1/55 is a 2% chance so it wasn't 50/50!!!! this is the second time I've ended up feeling let down and annoyed with the midwife - I'm going to change midwives i think!

Just saw your reply - that is a shocking response from your MW

Also remember that this is all just screening, not diagnostic. There are people that have perfect screening results and go on to have affected babies. If you need to know, an amnio is the only way to diagnose but that has risks too. Although I was not refered in the end I have heard very positive things about fetal maternal medicine and I am sure you will be very well looked after.

Have a hug

Hmmm, I think I would be looking at moving MW too hun!

Hiyah

I'm probably a little late in the game on this one...

I had my NT scan at 12 weeks and the NF was 1.3mm.
The result was 1:300 (I'm almost 29).
However, the report I recieved at my last MW appointment (just this last Monday) stated that "nasal bone was not seen due to fetal lie" BUT I have a very clear still from the scan of baby in profile and "nasal bone" typed across the bottom, so I have no idea if the sonographer was even correct in her assessment.

Anyway, I had the maternal serum blood test done at 16 weeks and the result of that (not combined with my NT scan) was 1:8900. BIG difference.

So I hope your blood test comes back with a reassuring result for you

*edited for spelling.

Edited by MamaPickle

Good luck for your scan and appt on Thurs MrsJ, I hope you have some reassurance before Easter