PUNE: KEM Hospital, Pune, successfully conducted the third edition of the National Conference on Fetal Medicine, bringing together leading experts to discuss advancements in prenatal diagnostics, fetal therapy, and the growing importance of fetal medicine as a specialized branch.

Experts at the conference highlighted that early intervention plays a vital role in improving outcomes for both mother and baby. Conditions such as fetal growth restriction, congenital anomalies, genetic disorders, and placental insufficiencies can often be identified early, facilitating multidisciplinary planning, targeted treatment, and—in certain cases—life-saving fetal procedures before birth. The National level conference saw presentations and guidance from various renowned experts, including Dr. Manikandan Krishnan, a renowned consultant in fetal medicine, Prof. Suresh Seshadri, Director of MediScan Systems Diagnostic Ultrasound, Fetal Medicine and Training Centre in Chennai, Dr.Sudarshan S., a renowned fetal medicine expert, and  Dr.Shreepad Karhade, HoD Fetal Medicine Department at KEM Hospital. The participants included gynaecologists, radiologists, and fetal medicine experts.

This conference was organised as part of the hospital’s ongoing commitment to continuous medical education, complementing its strong focus on clinical excellence and research.

Fetal medicine is rapidly emerging as a critical field in modern healthcare, focusing on the early identification, monitoring, and management of conditions affecting the unborn baby. With advancements in ultrasound technology and fetal imaging, clinicians can detect developmental anomalies as early as the first trimester. This early diagnosis allows timely interventions, informed decision-making, and better preparedness for high-risk pregnancies.

KEM Hospital’s Department of Fetal Medicine has been a pioneer in providing comprehensive prenatal services in the region. The hospital offers advanced ultrasound evaluations, fetal echocardiography, growth and Doppler studies, genetic counselling, and coordinated care for high-risk pregnancies. Its multidisciplinary team—including maternal-fetal medicine specialists, neonatologists, geneticists, and obstetricians—ensures accurate diagnosis, compassionate counselling, and seamless care from pregnancy through delivery.

Dr. Manikandan Krishnan, a renowned fetal medicine expert, said that fetal medicine has four pillars – prevention, detection of abnormalities, treatment, and support through making the couple get answers as they are overwhelmed with a lot of questions in their mind.

The challenge is that a vast majority of people, because of a lack of awareness, come much later in the pregnancy, said Dr.Sudarshan S. fetal medicine expert based out of Chennai. We need to create awareness that they should come before they plan a pregnancy, where genetic counselling will also come into the picture. Speaking about the future of fetal medicine, he said that the research is going on multiple levels. We are doing a lot of research in AI to see how machine learning algorithms can be set up to read all the pictures and whether these algorithms can be incorporated in the ultrasound machines so that primary care level persons can also see any red flags and refer them further to the specialist. Advancements in research are also happening in abnormalities and genetic problems.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Xerxes Coyaji, Medical Director, KEM Hospital, Pune, said, “Fetal Medicine is transforming the landscape of prenatal care. Early and accurate diagnosis empowers families and clinicians alike, enabling timely interventions that can significantly improve perinatal outcomes. At KEM Hospital, our commitment is to ensure that every expectant mother has access to high-quality, evidence-based fetal care.”

Fetal Medicine Consultants Dr. Shreepad Karhade and Dr. Shweta Gugale emphasized that parents and the public need to be aware that certain conditions identified during fetal life can be treated while the baby is still in the mother’s womb. These treatment options are highly complex and require an advanced level of expertise, involving extensive training, close mentoring, and a highly skilled team of multidisciplinary subspecialists. “The right patient receiving the right treatment at the right time from the right team ensures the best outcome for the unborn child,” they noted.

The event was led by Organising Chairperson Dr. Vivek Joshi, with Organising Secretaries Dr. Shreepad Karhade and Dr. Shweta Gugale, supported by an experienced scientific committee. The conference underscored KEM Hospital’s commitment to expanding fetal medicine awareness and strengthening access to advanced prenatal care for families across

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BENGALURU: MedGenome, a leading global Genomic Diagnostic and Research Services company in South Asia, becomes the first to offer advanced genomics services using Illumina’s NovaSeq X Plus in South Asia. With this, the company anticipates bringing down the reagent cost of Human Whole Genome sequencing to USD $200 in the near future. In conjunction with this acquisition, MedGenome is thrilled to launch KaryoSeq (or Karyotype Sequencing), an innovative Whole Genome Sequencing to diagnose prenatal and newborn conditions.

The NovaSeq X Series is Illumina’s most powerful sequencing system. With the ability to generate more than 20,000 whole genomes per year – 2.5 times the throughput of prior sequencers at a shorter turnaround time, this latest sequencer is aimed at making genomics more sustainable and accessible to more people globally. MedGenome has had a long-standing partnership with Illumina over the last decade expanding its portfolio of sequencing equipment with the latest offerings and becoming a leader in adopting the most up-to-date sequencing technology. NovaSeq X Plus promises to accelerate a deeper understanding of genetic disorders and can perform a broad range of data-intensive applications, bringing more breakthroughs in genetic disease diagnosis and treatment.

MedGenome has launched several breakthrough tests in key disease areas in the last few years. The latest offering, KaryoSeq has significant advantages over traditional cytogenetic and molecular techniques. The test is a faster and more accurate solution that allows for the detection of small chromosomal abnormalities, such as microdeletions or microduplications, that may not be easily identified through microscopic examination alone. It is recommended for individuals with suspected or confirmed genetic disorders or an increased risk of carrying chromosomal abnormalities, aiming to provide precise and rapid results, and helping clinicians and families make informed decisions about inherent genetic conditions.

Dr Vedam Ramprasad, Ph.D., CEO of, MedGenome said, “As pioneers in genetic testing with a deep focus on scientific innovation and research, bringing NovaSeq X Plus in India will help us in making faster and accurate diagnosis. The launch of KaryoSeq further marks a significant milestone in the field of prenatal and newborn genetic testing in this part of the world, empowering clinicians with accurate and comprehensive genetic information. Traditionally, the cost has played a major factor in penetrating the genetic testing market. MedGenome has been striving to make these tests affordable to the masses while adhering to global quality standards.  MedGenome’s KaryoSeq test is another step in this direction. The test is cost-effective while providing superior diagnostic yield and accuracy in identifying deletions and gains as small as 1 megabase (1 million DNA base pairs).”

MedGenome offers an extensive range of over 1300 advanced genetic tests covering various disease categories. With a CAP-accredited genetic testing laboratory in India and a high-throughput Next-Generation Sequencing lab in Foster City, California, the company has established itself as a prominent player in the field. Notably, MedGenome has developed the largest database of South Asian genetic variants through its expertise in genetic diagnostics, research collaborations, and its role as a co-founding member of GenomeAsia 100K. Serving more than 3,50,000 families through a network of over 4,000 hospitals and over 11,000 clinicians across India, MedGenome provides comprehensive genetic testing services and makes significant contributions to the field of genomics, and continues to revolutionize the healthcare space with its path-breaking genomics solutions.

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