
03/08/2025
CME Session on Prenatal Testing: Options, Benefits, and Risks
The Sadiqua Jafery Maternal Fetal Medicine Services (SJMFMS) at JPMC, under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Nighat Shah, Head of Ward 9B and Dr. Erum Majid, Associate Professor at Ward 9B, JPMC hosted a CME session to advance evidence-based prenatal testing practices across Pakistan.
The session was graced by Patron-in-Chief Prof. Amjad Siraj Memon, Vice Chancellor of JSMU, and Dr. Shahid Rasool, Executive Director of JPMC, whose visionary support underscored the importance of advancing maternal-fetal care in Pakistan.
Prof. Dr. Nighat Shah, Head of Ward 9B, emphasized, "While prenatal diagnostics offer powerful tools for fetal health assessment, we must implement them judiciously, balancing medical benefits with psychosocial support tailored to our patients' needs."
Dr. Zeeshan Ansar (Molecular Pathologist, AKUH) provided a comprehensive overview of current testing modalities. He detailed the clinical applications and limitations of conventional karyotyping, which remains essential for detecting chromosomal abnormalities but has resolution constraints. FISH testing, while rapid for common aneuploidies, requires careful interpretation in mosaic cases. Most importantly, he highlighted how genomic microarray and NGS technologies have revolutionized detection of submicroscopic variants, yet stressed that "these advanced tests demand rigorous quality control and correlation with clinical findings to avoid overdiagnosis of variants of uncertain significance."
Dr. Erum Majid, in her concluding remarks said,"Our discussions today reinforce that optimal prenatal testing requires methodical test selection based on individualized risk assessment, expertise in interpreting results within our population's unique genetic landscape, and compassionate counseling that supports families through complex decisions. At SJMFMS, we're committed to implementing these principles through standardized protocols and multidisciplinary collaboration."
The session equipped clinicians with practical tools to implement prenatal testing effectively, from selecting appropriate tests to interpreting results and counseling families. Participants gained clarity on balancing technological capabilities with ethical responsibilities in our local context.