How to read your anomaly scan report
An anomaly scan report has many measurements and medical words. Below is what each part usually means, in plain language. Reports differ slightly between centres, so not every line may appear on yours.
After every scan, Dr. Nayana N Sunku sits with you and goes through your report in detail, in simple words. She answers all your questions and clears every doubt before you leave, so you know what each finding means and what, if anything, happens next.
1. Basic details
LMP is the first day of your last period. GA is how many weeks pregnant you are, worked out from your LMP or your earlier dating scan.
Your expected due date. The report may show one date from your LMP and one from the scan. Usually the date from your first-trimester scan is kept.
One baby, growing inside the womb, with a heartbeat seen.
Which way the baby is lying. Cephalic means head down; breech means bottom or feet down. At 20 weeks babies turn often, so this is not a concern yet.
The baby’s heart rate. It is usually between 120 and 160 beats per minute.
2. Baby’s measurements (biometry)
The width of the baby’s head, from one side to the other.
The distance around the baby’s head.
The distance around the baby’s tummy. It shows how well the baby is growing and feeding.
The length of the thigh bone.
The length of the upper arm bone.
Next to each measurement you will see the age it matches (for example 20w 2d) or a percentile. A few days either side of your actual age is normal. Anything between the 10th and 90th percentile is in the normal range.
The baby’s approximate weight in grams, calculated from the measurements above. The expected weight depends on how many weeks pregnant you are, since the scan is done anywhere between 18 and 22 weeks. Your report compares it with the normal range for your gestational age. It is an estimate and can be off by 10 to 15%.
3. Placenta, fluid and cord
Where the placenta is attached: the front wall, back wall or top of the womb. All are normal. With an anterior placenta you may feel kicks a little later.
The placenta is well away from the opening of the womb (cervix). This is what we want to see.
The placenta is close to the cervix. In most women it moves up as the womb grows. A repeat scan is usually done around 32 weeks.
Liquor is the fluid around the baby. “Adequate” means a normal amount. It may be shown as the deepest pocket of fluid (2 to 8 cm is normal) or as an AFI number.
The cord has two arteries and one vein, which is normal. “Single umbilical artery” means one artery is missing. Most of these babies are healthy; a growth scan later is often advised.
The length of the neck of the womb. More than 25 mm is reassuring. A shorter cervix can raise the chance of early labour, and your obstetrician may start treatment to prevent it.
Blood flow to the placenta. A normal value means a good blood supply. A high value may mean your doctor checks the baby’s growth and your blood pressure more closely.
4. Baby’s anatomy checklist
Each body part (brain, face, spine, heart, stomach, kidneys, bladder, abdominal wall, limbs) is listed. “Normal” or “seen” means it was checked and looks as expected.
The baby’s position or movement made that part hard to see. It does not mean something is wrong. You may be asked to come back for a short repeat look.
5. Soft markers you may see
A small bright spot inside the baby’s heart. It is a tiny speck of calcium, not a heart defect, and is common in healthy babies.
A small bubble of fluid in the part of the brain that makes brain fluid. It does not affect brain development and usually disappears by 28 weeks.
The part of the kidney that collects urine is slightly wider than usual. Most settle on their own; a later scan checks it.
The baby’s bowel looks brighter than usual on the scan. Often this is from swallowed blood and clears. Sometimes extra tests are suggested.
The fluid spaces in the brain (ventricles) are normally less than 10 mm. Mild ventriculomegaly means they measure slightly wider than this. Most babies are normal; a follow-up scan is usually advised.
The nose bone is not seen or is small. This can be normal, but your doctor may suggest further screening.
The skin at the back of the baby’s neck is thicker than 6 mm. Your doctor may suggest further screening such as NIPT.
The thigh or arm bone is shorter than expected. Often this just means a smaller, healthy baby or shorter parents.
6. The impression (summary)
No major structural problem was seen in the parts of the baby that were checked. This is very reassuring. It cannot rule out every condition, because some do not show on ultrasound.
Overall, the baby’s size matches how many weeks pregnant you are.
A repeat scan or another test is suggested. This is often routine, for example to recheck the placenta or a view that was not clear.
Why the 18–22 week window matters
The anomaly scan is the single most comprehensive structural ultrasound performed during pregnancy. FOGSI and ISUOG guidance places the ideal window at 18 to 22 weeks: before 18 weeks, the baby's organs are often too small to assess in full detail; scanning much later narrows the time available for further evaluation or specialist referral if any finding needs a closer look.
Many centres use a structured scanning protocol that steps through the fetal spine, head, chest, abdomen, pelvis, limbs and face in a fixed sequence, alongside two real-time sweeps to confirm the baby's position, heartbeat, and overall orientation. This systematic approach — rather than a quick freehand look — is what makes the scan reliable.
What the anomaly scan checks
The scan examines the baby's anatomy system by system. A typical examination covers:
Brain & head
Skull shape, brain ventricles, cerebellum, and midline structures
Spine
Full spine checked for alignment and skin covering
Face
Profile, lips and upper jaw, orbits
Heart
Four chambers, outflow tracts, and rhythm
Abdomen
Stomach, bowel, abdominal wall and cord insertion
Kidneys & bladder
Kidney structure and urine-filled bladder
Limbs
All four limbs, long bones and proportions
Placenta & fluid
Placental position and amniotic fluid volume
Growth & wellbeing
Fetal measurements and cervical length screening
Understanding "soft markers"
Occasionally a report mentions a "soft marker" — a minor finding such as an echogenic bowel, a choroid plexus cyst, a slightly dilated kidney (pyelectasis), or a single umbilical artery. On their own, soft markers are not diagnoses and most babies with an isolated soft marker are entirely healthy.
Depending on the specific marker, your other screening results, and your individual risk factors, your obstetrician may suggest an additional test such as NIPT or a follow-up scan. This is a precautionary step, not a sign that something is definitely wrong.
Anomaly scan vs. NT scan
- NT scan (11–14 weeks) with double marker blood test screens chromosomal risk early
- Anomaly scan (18–22 weeks) is a full structural survey, not primarily a chromosomal screen
- The two together give a much fuller picture than either alone
If a concern is found
- Your radiologist will explain the finding clearly and without alarm
- A follow-up scan, fetal medicine consult, or further test may be advised
- Many findings turn out to be minor variants or resolve on rescan
What to expect at your appointment
- A full bladder is usually recommended — confirm timing when booking
- The scan takes 30 to 45 minutes and is done over the abdomen
- If the baby is in an awkward position, you may be asked to walk around and return
- Bring previous scan reports and your pregnancy file
- Under the PCPNDT Act, 1994, sex determination is not performed or disclosed under any circumstances
Common questions
Who explains my anomaly scan report at Nitara Scans?
Dr. Nayana N Sunku explains every report herself. After the scan she goes through your report in detail, in simple words, and answers all your questions before you leave.
What does “no gross fetal anomaly detected” mean?
It means no major structural problem was seen in the parts of the baby that were checked. It is very reassuring, but no scan can rule out every condition.
When exactly should the anomaly scan be done?
FOGSI and ISUOG guidance recommends performing the anomaly scan between 18 and 22 weeks. Earlier, structures may be too small to assess reliably; later, the window for further evaluation narrows.
What does the anomaly scan actually check?
It systematically examines the brain, spine, face, heart, stomach, kidneys, bladder, abdominal wall and limbs, along with placenta position and amniotic fluid. Only what's documented in your report was assessed.
What is a soft marker on an anomaly scan?
A minor finding — like an echogenic bowel or choroid plexus cyst — that alone doesn't indicate a problem but may prompt your doctor to suggest additional testing depending on your overall risk profile.
Can the anomaly scan detect Down syndrome?
It can pick up some cases through associated markers, but first trimester combined screening (NT scan with double marker test) or NIPT are considerably more sensitive tools for this specific purpose.
Do I need a full bladder for the anomaly scan?
Yes, it's usually recommended as it helps visualise the lower uterus and pelvic structures more clearly. The scan typically takes 30 to 45 minutes.
"I have had all my pregnancy scans with Dr Nayana. She is the most professional, compassionate and amazing. She has all the patience to explain and answer my 100s of questions with a beautiful smile on her face. I highly recommend Nitara for all pregnancy scans."
"I went to Dr. Nayana for my pregnancy scans and I really like her. She is very kind and has good knowledge. She never hesitates to answer any questions, even small or silly ones. She explains everything very patiently."
Anomaly scan in HSR Layout, Bengaluru
Nitara Scans and Diagnostics offers the anomaly scan (TIFFA) and full second-trimester pregnancy imaging in HSR Layout, Bengaluru. Every scan is personally performed by Dr. Nayana N Sunku — DMRD, DNB Radiology, Fetal Medicine Fellow — with time for a clear explanation after the scan.