By carefully measuring the width of the developing spinal cord in early pregnancy, doctors have discovered that it is possible to accurately predict an increased risk of a Down's syndrome baby. Patients at high risk of Down's syndrome (i.e. aged 37 and over) can ask for a nuchal translucency scan under the NHS. This is done at University College Hospital, London and you need to let your doctor know early on to make sure we can book a scan at the requisite time as the scan must be performed between 11 and 13 weeks of pregnancy.

The doctors who developed the technique at King's College Hospital in south-east London have developed considerable experience and, at present, are happy to scan pregnant mothers on request to help detect Down's syndrome on a private basis.

King's College Hospital, Harris Birthright Clinic (special number 0207-326 3040) are offering a scanning service for pregnant mothers.

Mums of any age can arrange an appointment. They should telephone at the above number when they are 8/9 weeks pregnant and will receive appointment for Scan between 11-13 weeks. (Thirteen and a half and maybe fourteen weeks, but really 13 weeks should be the cut-off point).

If older Mums would like to be scanned again at 20 weeks, this can done, but a referral letter must accompany the patient from their GP and they will be charged for the second scan.

This scan will not do anything else other than a Down's syndrome investigation.