In Focus: Prenatal Screening and the Promise of Ultrasound

The potential of technology is transforming healthcare to the extent that we now have solutions that can detect a disease even before a baby is born. While technology continues to play its part, even today, more than 10,000 Thalassemia children are born every year in India, 9400 people are diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia every year. Even as we have multiple screening options and advanced ultrasound systems, the challenges are many — limited access to technology in remote areas, affordable care, and quality of screening to ensure accurate results. These diseases pose emotional, economic, and psychological burden on the affected families, especially from rural areas where healthcare access is already a challenge.

The big question— How do we solve the challenge?

The Promise of Technology: What Ultra Clinic is doing differently in Asansol. 

Late diagnoses can cause panic, leading to hasty decisions about pregnancy termination. Critical defects such as cardiac issues, CNS defects, or limb anomalies should be identified by 12-13 weeks of pregnancy. Until a few years back, there was a scarcity of specialists in fetal ultrasounds, making it difficult to diagnose anomalies early in pregnancy. Early detection plays a significant role in assessing fetal health, with India taking the lead due to the high quality of fetal ultrasounds and the number of doctors performing them. 

The story of Asansol which also forms part of a thalassemia endemic belt need is one of hope and the promise technology holds. In Asansol, many local couples are thalassemia carriers, making it a high-risk region for prenatal care. When these couples conceive a baby and the fetus is not diagnosed prenatally for thalassemia, it causes an acute scarcity of blood, making monthly transfusions tough to manage.

However, fetal care has improved significantly in the region since March 2017, when the Ultra Clinic was established as a specialized Centre for prenatal ultrasounds. Earlier, the quality of fetal ultrasound was poor, and detecting defects in a fetus was difficult. That has changed since the Ultra Clinic's establishment, reducing the need for patients to travel to Kolkata for every healthcare challenge. The establishment of this Centre has also led to an increase in the diagnosis rate of thalassemia carriers in the area. The Centre has been conducting educational programs for doctors about the importance of HBLC or thalassemia screening as a routine protocol in pregnancy. After diagnosing carriers, patients undergo invasive testing at 12 weeks of pregnancy to determine if the fetus has thalassemia major, a significant improvement from having to travel to Kolkata for such procedures.

Patients' most common doubts during screenings relate to the development stage of the fetus and whether everything is normal. While a normal ultrasound can determine the fetus’s age, advanced machines with the right technology are needed to check for anomalies. Therefore, it is essential to choose a Centre with advanced machines that provide accurate results.

How do we prepare for the future?

Fetal anomalies are on the rise due to factors such as pollution, diet, lack of exercise, and obesity. The fetus can also be affected by medical conditions like diabetes and hypertension. This makes getting proper scans and testing during pregnancy imperative to ensure the baby is healthy and normal. An early diagnosis gives couples the chance to decide whether to continue the pregnancy within the MTP window of 24 weeks. Advanced genetic testing on the fetus often takes 2-4 weeks to yield results, making timely diagnosis crucial. Some anomalies detected in scans can be treated or are manageable, and proper investigations help couples plan subsequent pregnancies.

Looking Forward: MedTech Possibilities and Accessible Healthcare

MedTech advancements have made high-quality prenatal care accessible even in remote areas, reducing the need for patients to travel long distances for essential healthcare services. Integrating advanced medical technologies ensures that critical fetal anomalies are detected early, allowing for appropriate interventions and better health outcomes. The advancements in medical technology have transformed prenatal care by enabling high-quality, accessible healthcare. 

Devices like GE HealthCare’s Ultra-premium Voluson Expert 22 embedded with features such as Augment, Ultra HD, Radiant, and Adaptive IQ have reduced overall scanning times and improved diagnostic precision, enabling healthcare providers to deliver accurate, timely care.

The Augment feature reduces noise and enhances penetration, resulting in clearer images even in challenging scanning situations, such as with high BMI patients. Ultra HD enables the acquisition of highly detailed images of the fetal brain, first-trimester development, and other complex anatomy, offering increased axial and lateral resolution. Radiant allows for adjustments in elevation and enhances border visibility, creating a more 3D-like appearance that aids in differentiating anatomical structures, such as the brain and fetal heart. Adaptive IQ ensures that imaging systems can evolve with technological advancements, offering superior image quality and adaptability for future needs.

As MedTech continues to evolve, it promises a future where high-quality, accessible healthcare becomes a reality for all. The focus is on leveraging technology to bridge gaps in healthcare access, ensuring that every pregnant woman receives the best possible care for herself and her unborn child.

For more information, please visit the website: https://www.gehealthcare.in/

Disclaimer: This article is a promotional feature and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. The content is for information purposes only.