Neutral Position

1. Neutral Position

In first-trimester fetal ultrasound (especially during nuchal translucency [NT] screening at 11–13⁺⁶ weeks the neutral position refers to the posture of the fetal head and neck where:

• The fetal head is aligned with the spine not flexed (chin touching chest) or hyperextended (head tilted back).
• The angle between the mandible and the chest is approximately 90 degrees.
• This position avoids falsely increased or decreased NT measurements.

Accurate NT measurement depends on proper positioning any deviation can lead to misinterpretation of chromosomal risk

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Note: Select English to answer in English, या हिंदी चुनें तो प्रश्नों के उत्तर हिंदी में दीजिए।

1. What does the neutral position of the fetal head mean? 1. भ्रूणीय सिर की न्यूट्रल पोजीशन का क्या अर्थ है?
A. Head neither flexed nor extended, chin not touching chest and not hyperextended
B. Chin tightly pressed to chest
C. Head fully hyperextended backwards
D. Head tilted sideways only

2. Why is identifying the neutral position important in nuchal translucency (NT) measurement? 2. न्यूक्ल ट्रांसलुसेंसी (NT) माप में न्यूट्रल पोजीशन की पहचान क्यों महत्वपूर्ण है?
A. Ensures accuracy — flexion reduces and extension increases NT thickness artificially
B. It has no effect on NT measurement
C. Only needed for abdominal circumference
D. Only maternal comfort

3. What is the expected appearance of the fetal profile in neutral position? 3. न्यूट्रल पोजीशन में भ्रूणीय प्रोफाइल कैसा दिखाई देना चाहिए?
A. Nasal tip, maxilla and mandible aligned without compression or overextension
B. Mandible hidden by chest
C. Head completely backwards
D. Face turned away only

4. How does fetal neutral position help in diagnostic imaging? 4. भ्रूणीय न्यूट्रल पोजीशन डायग्नॉस्टिक इमेजिंग में कैसे मदद करती है?
A. Provides standardized reproducible view for NT, CRL, and profile assessment
B. Has no diagnostic role
C. Only helps in Doppler
D. Only maternal pelvis assessment

5. Which maneuver may help achieve fetal neutral position during ultrasound? 5. अल्ट्रासाउंड के दौरान भ्रूणीय न्यूट्रल पोजीशन प्राप्त करने में कौन सा उपाय मदद करता है?
A. Ask mother to change position, gentle probe pressure, or wait for spontaneous movement
B. Immediate invasive procedure
C. Only maternal blood test
D. No adjustment possible

6. How does flexion affect NT measurement compared to neutral? 6. न्यूट्रल की तुलना में फ्लेक्सन NT माप को कैसे प्रभावित करता है?
A. Decreases NT thickness falsely
B. Increases NT thickness
C. No change
D. Only affects placenta

7. How does hyperextension affect NT measurement compared to neutral? 7. न्यूट्रल की तुलना में हाइपरएक्सटेंशन NT माप को कैसे प्रभावित करता है?
A. Increases NT thickness falsely
B. Decreases NT thickness
C. No effect
D. Only affects maternal spine

8. For CRL measurement, why is neutral position required? 8. CRL माप के लिए न्यूट्रल पोजीशन क्यों आवश्यक है?
A. To avoid underestimation (in flexion) or overestimation (in extension) of length
B. Only affects maternal BMI
C. Has no effect
D. Only for placental grading

9. How should sonographers document fetal neutral position in reports? 9. सोनोग्राफर को रिपोर्ट में भ्रूणीय न्यूट्रल पोजीशन को कैसे दर्ज करना चाहिए?
A. Note fetal head alignment as neutral during NT/CRL assessment and confirm adequate visualization
B. Only report maternal weight
C. Always ignore head position
D. Report only fetal sex

10. What should be done if neutral position cannot be obtained? 10. यदि न्यूट्रल पोजीशन प्राप्त नहीं हो सके तो क्या करना चाहिए?
A. Wait, rescan, adjust maternal/probe position — avoid forcing measurement in non-neutral head posture
B. Still proceed with measurement anyway
C. Only rely on lab tests
D. Always assume normal