Close Alert Banner
Skip to Content
Visit BORNOntario.caVisit BORN.ca
COVID-19: Information for PregnancyContact Us
FR

BORN Ontario Logo

Contact Us icon
  • What is Prenatal Screening?
    • What Do We Screen For?
    • Multiple Marker Screening (MMS)
    • Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing
    • Nuchal Translucency Ultrasound
    • Options by Pregnancy Stage
    • For Twins or More Than Two Babies
    • COVID-19 and Pregnancy
  • Results and Next Steps
    • Multiple Marker Screening (MMS) Results
    • Non-invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) Results
    • Invasive Diagnostic Testing
  • Requisitions and Provider Tools
    • Multiple Marker Screening (MMS) Requisitions
    • Non-invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) Requisitions
    • Provider Tools
  • For Sonographers
    • NT Registration
    • Log in to the BIS
    • NT Quality Assurance
    • Resources and Point of Care Tools
    • Facilities that offer Nuchal Translucency ultrasound
  • About Us
    • Careers
    • Events Calendar
    • Get Involved
    • Partners
    • PSO News
    • Subscribe to PSO updates
HomeFor SonographersFacilities that offer Nuchal Translucency ultraso...
  • Open new window to share this page via Facebook Facebook
  • Open new window to share this page via LinkedIn LinkedIn
  • Open new window to share this page via Twitter Twitter
  • Email this page Email

A pregnant woman getting a sonograph

Nuchal Translucency Ultrasound

The nuchal translucency (NT) refers to the pocket of fluid at the back of the fetal neck. The measurement of the nuchal translucency is part of the combined screening test for trisomy 21 and trisomy 18, called enhanced First Trimester Screen (eFTS). An increased NT measurement increases the chance for other chromosome differences, additional genetic conditions, and can also be helpful to predict structural differences that might be more obvious later in pregnancy (such as a heart defect). 

At the time of the NT ultrasound, the sonographer or physician who does the scan can also accurately predict your due date, determine how many babies you are carrying and examine the early basic structural development of the fetus.

Although the NT ultrasound can be performed as part of eFTS, it can be also be done on its own.  If you decline prenatal screening for trisomy 21 and trisomy 18, you can still choose to have a NT ultrasound. 

Nuchal translucency image

How to get a NT ultrasound

If you choose to have a NT ultrasound, your health care provider will arrange it for when you are 11 weeks 2 days to 13 weeks 3 days gestation. Your health care provider will schedule your NT ultrasound at a hospital or a clinic with a certified NT sonographer or physician.

Facilities that offer NT ultrasound

See our interactive map to find facilities offering NT ultrasound in Ontario. 

  • Zoom in to locate a NT ultrasound facility near you. 
  • As you zoom in, you'll see the name and street address of each facility.
  • Click on the name of the facility to link to a webpage with more information.

As part of the COVID-19 response plan, diagnostic imaging sites may reduce access to NT ultrasounds. We are updating the map regularly by removing the NT ultrasound sites that we know to be closed at the moment.  However, we recommend contacting the facility of interest to confirm that their status is up-to-date and that they are offering NT ultrasound services during the evolving COVID-19 pandemic.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disclaimer

This map is merely a tool to assist providers and the public in locating NT ultrasound services in Ontario. The following caveats apply:

  • Inclusion of any facility on this map does NOT imply PSO endorsement or assurance of the quality of services provided. This map is to be used for informational purposes only. PSO cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information provided. This information should not supersede advice from a qualified medical professional. 
  • This map is updated monthly by PSO and may not be an exhaustive list of all facilities that offer NT ultrasound in the province. 

Please contact pso@bornontario.ca if you are a facility offering NT ultrasound and would like to be included, or removed, from this map. 

Unable to Access NT ultrasound

When there is no access to a hospital or a clinic with a certified NT sonographer or physician, a prenatal screening test called Non-invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) is now temporarily funded by OHIP as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

At your NT Ultrasound Appointment

If you choose to have NT ultrasound, the sonographer or physician who does the scan will record your NT measurement on the enhanced first trimester screening (eFTS) requisition. This measurement, along with bloodwork and additional clinical information, will be sent to one of the Ontario Multiple Marker Screening (MMS) labs. The lab will use this information to calculate the chances that your pregnancy is affected with trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) or trisomy 18.

Increased NT

If your NT measurement is increased, (ie 3.5 mm or greater), you should be offered an appointment for genetic counselling to discuss your options for further testing.

  • For Sonographers
    • NT Registration
      Toggle Section NT Registration Menu
      • I do not have an Ontario NT ID number
      • I have an Ontario NT ID number
      • I am a Quality Advisor or Medical Director
    • Log in to the BIS
    • NT Quality Assurance
      Toggle Section NT Quality Assurance Menu
      • NTQA Requirements
    • Resources and Point of Care Tools
    • Facilities that offer Nuchal Translucency ultrasound

Contact Us

Subscribe to this page

Prenatal Screening Ontario logo

BORN Ontario logo

Our Website

  • What is Prenatal Screening?
  • Results and Next Steps
  • Requisitions and Provider Tools
  • For Sonographers
  • About Us

Helpful Links

  • Contact Us
  • Sitemap
  • Website Feedback
  • View our Facebook Page
  • View our Twitter Page

Contact Us

Prenatal Screening Ontario 
CHEO Research Institute 
Centre for Practice-Changing Research Building 
401 Smyth Road 
Ottawa, ON K1H 8L1

Phone 613-737-2281

Toll Free 1-833-351-6490

Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Copyright © 2019 BORN Ontario

Designed by eSolutionsGroup

Close Old Browser Notification
Browser Compatibility Notification
It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.