5th International Conference on Gynecology and Obstetrics

The Prenatal Care and Screening session examines the critical role of early, comprehensive, and ongoing prenatal care in ensuring healthy pregnancies and optimal outcomes for both mothers and their unborn babies. As advances in screening technologies, genetic diagnostics, and risk stratification continue to reshape the landscape of antenatal medicine, this session brings together obstetricians, maternal-fetal medicine specialists, genetic counsellors, sonographers, and primary care providers to share the latest evidence, clinical innovations, and best practices in prenatal assessment and monitoring.

From the earliest weeks of pregnancy through to delivery preparation, effective prenatal care requires a combination of clinical vigilance, patient education, and timely intervention. This session will explore how structured antenatal programmes, integrated screening pathways, and multidisciplinary collaboration are improving the detection and management of conditions that pose risk to maternal and fetal health — including gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, chromosomal abnormalities, and congenital anomalies.

A significant focus will be placed on the rapid evolution of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), which has transformed the ability of clinicians to detect chromosomal conditions with greater accuracy and minimal risk to the fetus. Delegates will also explore advances in first and second trimester ultrasound, the expanding role of cell-free fetal DNA analysis, and the integration of biomarker-based screening into routine antenatal practice.

The session will further address the importance of personalised prenatal care — recognising that no two pregnancies are alike and that individualised risk assessment, culturally sensitive communication, and shared decision-making between clinician and patient are essential to achieving the best possible outcomes. Special attention will be given to high-risk populations, including women of advanced maternal age, those with pre-existing medical conditions, and women from underserved communities where access to quality prenatal screening remains a significant challenge.

Key Topics:

• First Trimester Screening — Combined screening approaches using nuchal translucency ultrasound and maternal serum markers for early chromosomal risk assessment.
• Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) — The role of cell-free fetal DNA analysis in accurately detecting chromosomal abnormalities including Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome, and Patau syndrome.
• Ultrasound Anomaly Scanning — Second trimester morphology scanning techniques for the detection of structural fetal abnormalities and markers of chromosomal conditions.
• Gestational Diabetes Screening — Current screening protocols, diagnostic criteria, and management strategies for gestational diabetes mellitus and its impact on maternal and fetal outcomes.
• Preeclampsia Risk Assessment — Early identification of women at risk of preeclampsia using biophysical and biochemical markers, and evidence-based prevention strategies including low-dose aspirin.
• Fetal Growth Monitoring — Serial ultrasound assessment, customised growth charts, and Doppler studies for the identification and management of fetal growth restriction.
• Genetic Counselling in Prenatal Care — The role of genetic counsellors in supporting informed decision-making following abnormal screening results, invasive diagnostic testing, and hereditary condition assessment.
• Invasive Diagnostic Procedures — Indications, techniques, risks, and outcomes of amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling (CVS) in the context of abnormal screening findings.
• Infection Screening in Pregnancy — Antenatal screening for infections including Group B Streptococcus, HIV, syphilis, rubella, hepatitis B, and toxoplasmosis, and their clinical management.
• Maternal Nutrition and Lifestyle in Pregnancy — Evidence-based guidance on nutrition, supplementation, physical activity, and lifestyle modifications to support optimal fetal development and maternal wellbeing.
• Mental Health Screening in Pregnancy — Routine assessment for antenatal depression, anxiety, and perinatal mental health conditions, and integrated pathways for referral and support.
• Personalised and High-Risk Antenatal Care — Tailored antenatal management for women with advanced maternal age, pre-existing medical conditions, multiple pregnancies, or previous adverse pregnancy outcomes.