Currently, the rate of newborns with congenital anomalies is approximately 2-3%. To reduce this rate, pregnant women need to undergo regular prenatal check-ups and perform necessary screening and diagnostic activities during pregnancy. The Ministry of Health has issued a Draft Circular regulating the examination, screening procedures to detect and treat abnormalities and defects of the fetus.
Article table of contents
Abnormal fetuses are something no one wants, however we do not have the right to decide this matter. There are many causes of fetal malformations, such as environmental pollution, genetics, and the age of the parents. According to the Draft Circular, fetal malformations, also known as congenital anomalies or congenital disorders, are structural or functional abnormalities (including metabolic disorders) that occur in the fetal period and can be detected before, during, or after birth.
Conducting examinations and screening procedures to detect and treat fetal abnormalities and malformations (prenatal screening, diagnosis, and intervention) can help parents know the health status of the fetus as well as identify and intervene early in signs to help the baby develop normally. Alternatively, this intervention can help mitigate the consequences for the child. Additionally, it helps parents make decisions about keeping or terminating the pregnancy if the fetus has severe defects that make survival or development after birth difficult.
Conducting Prenatal Screening
Prenatal screening involves using simple, easy-to-apply techniques to detect individuals at risk of certain diseases. Prenatal screening is conducted during pregnancy;
Before performing screening, it is necessary to explain the meaning, benefits, and potential risks of the techniques, as well as the sequence of steps to perform the techniques applicable in prenatal screening for each specific subject.
After conducting the screening, explain the results of the screening techniques; guide the pregnant woman and family in choosing a method to monitor, care for the fetus, or continue performing specialized techniques and tests to diagnose; guide the transfer to an appropriate facility for further monitoring and diagnostics.
Prenatal Diagnosis
Prenatal diagnosis involves using specific techniques during pregnancy to diagnose cases of suspected disease detected through screening.
Once diagnosed, provide information about the diagnosed disease and fetal anomalies; counsel the pregnant woman and family on appropriate care and management solutions, including termination of the pregnancy if necessary.
Prenatal Management
Prenatal management involves methods applied to manage the pregnancy, including counseling, monitoring, care, intervention, or termination of the pregnancy if necessary.
In cases where the pregnant woman and family choose to keep the pregnancy, continue counseling, monitoring, and caring for the pregnancy.
Consider terminating the pregnancy due to fetal pathology or congenital malformations in the following cases only:
- Serious abnormalities in the morphology or structure of the fetus with a high risk of disability;- Chromosomal abnormalities;- The fetus has a molecular genetic disease due to gene mutations without specific treatment methods.
The termination of pregnancy for pathological reasons or congenital malformations of the fetus is only considered when there is a request for termination from both the pregnant woman and her husband (or the single pregnant woman) after they have been fully counseled by healthcare workers. A surrogate mother wanting to terminate the pregnancy for humanitarian purposes needs permission from both the commissioning parents and the surrogate.
For detailed content, see the Draft.
