Nuchal Translucency Scan

A consultation includes obtaining pregnancy history as a baseline for assessing your baby’s growth and health, an ultrasound scan, a written report and a color photo of your baby all nicely presented in a folder. All the images and clips (silent) from the scan are sent via Tricefy. You can buy extra color photos at the price of dkk 20/pc. 3D and 4D when possible.

During a nuchal translucency scan, a risk assessment is performed to determine whether the fetus may have certain chromosomal abnormalities. This assessment is based on the mother’s age, the thickness of the nuchal fold, and the levels of pregnancy hormones in the mother’s blood (double test). All three factors are equally important to obtain the most accurate picture possible. Without the double test, the accuracy is approximately 70%. When the double test is included, the accuracy increases to about 95%. Therefore, at Spire, we do not perform risk assessments without the double test.

The chromosomal abnormalities screened for in the nuchal translucency scan are:

Trisomi 21 (Downs Syndrom)

Trisomi 18 ( Edwards Syndrom)

Trisomi 13 (Pataus Syndrom)

We measure the fetus and establish an estimated due date. We examine the fetus for major malformations and check for a heartbeat. We measure the nuchal translucency – a small fluid-filled space at the back of the neck that all fetuses have. A thickened nuchal fold increases the risk of chromosomal abnormalities but must be assessed in conjunction with the double test and the mother's age.

Please note: The results from the scan are not uploaded to the national health record system (Sundhedsplatformen). You are responsible for sharing the results with your chosen place of birth.

Occasionally, the fetus may be positioned in a way that makes it impossible to complete the scan. In such cases, we offer a free follow-up scan.

If the fetus turns out to be too early or too far along for the nuchal translucency scan—which can only be performed within a limited time frame—you will instead be charged for an Early Scan.

If you bring a blood sample that was taken too early (before week 8), a new sample will be required.

If there is an increased risk that the fetus may have a condition, we will assist in establishing contact with your maternity care provider—provided you have a Danish CPR number.

If possible, we recommend that you have the double test done at least a couple of weeks before your scan. This way, you avoid waiting time, as we can calculate the risk immediately after the scan.

If it is not possible for you to have the double test done in advance, we will take the blood sample on the day of your scan. The sample will be sent for analysis at Rigshospitalet. When we receive the double test result—usually after about a week—we will call you with the final result of your scan. The result will then be sent to you via secure email. Please note that during holiday periods, the turnover time may be longer.

If you have already had a double test done, you are welcome to bring it with you, and we will use it in the risk calculation. This requires that the test clearly states which kryptor analyzer was used by the lab. For your information, the Brahms kryptor is used in the vast majority of cases, and always within the Capital Region of Denmark (Region Hovedstaden).

If you bring your own blood test, the cost of the blood sample and transport (DKK 600) will be deducted from the total price. It is your responsibility to present the correct values for the double test. If the kryptor type is not specified, we will default to using the Brahms kryptor, with the associated risk that the calculation may not be accurate.

If you know that you will have your nuchal translucency scan done with us, we recommend that you also have the double test done with us. This helps reduce unnecessary burden on the public healthcare system and ensures certainty regarding the kryptor used.

We do not perform nuchal translucency scans without a double test, as it would be meaningless—since the double test accounts for approximately one-third of the overall risk assessment.

Occasionally, the fetus may be positioned in a way that prevents the scan from being completed. In such cases, we offer a free re-scan of up to 10 minutes.

Re-scans are offered on weekdays before 4 PM (subject to availability).

Re-scans are not available on weekends and cannot be booked online.
If you go into our booking system and change your re-scan to any other type of scan without prior agreement with us, you will be charged for the scan you have booked.