Fetal medicine is a relatively new field in India. Our obstetricians, though competent in their own field, are not able to give optimal care to high-risk pregnancies and have limited training in fetal medicine. Even though there are good fetal medicine units coming up in the corporate sector, the poor and needy mothers with high-risk pregnancies complicated by fetal structural anomalies, growth disorders and complicated multiple pregnancies cannot afford the services. It is in this context that the Government of Kerala has taken the initiative of establishing “SRADHA” maternal fetal medicine unit as a joint venture of SAT Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram, Child Development Centre (CDC) Kerala, and National Health Mission from 01/01/2020
Establishment Timeline
The Fetal Medicine Unit commenced services on 17th October 2019, functioning three days a week. It expanded to full operational capacity on 1 January 2020. Despite the pandemic, the formal inauguration and logo release were conducted online on 23 February 2021 by the former Hon. Health Minister, Smt. K. K. Shailaja. Subsequently, recognizing its growing scope and impact, the unit was upgraded by the Government to a full-fledged Department of Fetal Medicine on 18 September 2024 with Dr Pio James as the Head of the Department.
Aim
To provide dedicated, high-quality obstetric and fetal medicine services to poor and high-risk pregnant women in a government setup, to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes, and reduce childhood disability.
Vision
To create responsible and prepared parenthood through healthier children by establishing a continuum of care linking reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, adolescent health, and nutrition.
Motto
• To reduce childhood disability and adult-onset disease through early risk identification, intervention, and follow-up
• To provide sensitive, accurate counselling that respects parental values
• To work in partnership with neonatologists, pediatric subspecialists, surgeons, geneticists, and physicians to reduce perinatal mortality and disability
Services Offered
| Sl. No. | Key Services |
| 1 | Pre and periconceptional counselling and care |
| 2 | Screening for Down syndrome (11-14 weeks) |
| 3 | Early assessment of the mother and fetus in high-risk pregnancy |
| 4 | First Trimester Target scan (11-14 weeks) and Early Target scans (16-17 weeks) |
| 5 | TARGET/TIIFA/Anomaly scan (18-20 weeks) |
| 6 | Surveillance for Fetal Growth Disorders |
| 7 | Surveillance of complicated Multiple pregnancies. |
| 8 | Detailed assessment of certain organ systems |
| 9 | Invasive procedures and foetal intervention- amniocentesis, chorionic villus sampling |
|
10 |
Cross consultation with the geneticist, neonatologist, paediatrician, and other paediatric subspecialties as and when required |
Infrastructure
The SRADHA Fetal Medicine Department is housed on the entire ground floor of the Child Development Centre, providing a dedicated clinical environment. The unit includes a well-equipped scan room, consultation area, and spacious waiting facilities, along with provisions for rest and patient monitoring after procedures, ensuring comfort for patients and their attendants.
A high-end GE Voluson E8 ultrasound system supports advanced fetal imaging, and clinical documentation is streamlined through the Sonocare Fetal Medicine software, which enables accurate reporting and secure data storage.
The department operates in full compliance with the PCPNDT (Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques) Act requirements, with both the unit and its equipment
Patient Flow Model
The Fetal Medicine Department provides free services in high-risk obstetric and fetal medicine to poor and needy pregnant mothers in our Government set-up. The majority of the patients seen in the unit are pregnant mothers registered at SAT Hospital who are referred by doctors from PHC, CHC, GH, ESI, and even private institutions. These patients travel long distances, including from neighbouring districts such as Kanyakumari, T.N., for dedicated care.
Patients are registered in the Fetal Medicine Department and given appointments. A detailed history is taken, followed by the required scan. Based on findings, counselling, procedures, or follow-up care is provided.
Clinical Services
The department undertakes a wide spectrum of clinical services. These include advanced fetal imaging, such as fetal echocardiography, neurosonography, and detailed skeletal surveys. Continuous surveillance and monitoring of high-risk pregnancies form a core component of service delivery. In addition, the unit has expanded its scope to include invasive prenatal diagnostic procedures, with amniocentesis initiated in October 2023.
Teaching and Training
The unit regularly trains postgraduate students from the Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Neonatology, Reproductive Medicine, providing adequate clinical exposure. A One-Day Clinical Conference in Fetal Medicine was held in November 2025, organized jointly by CDC and SAT Hospital. It was attended by obstetricians, gynecologists, fetal medicine fellows, postgraduate trainees, and faculty from all over Kerala
Research Activities
• Case series presentations, including Club Foot, won First Prize at the Club Foot International Conference organized by the Government of Kerala.
• Ongoing research includes the prevalence of congenital anomalies among pregnant women attending the unit, with data collection in progress.
Achievements and Impact
• High volume of beneficiaries
• Diagnostic procedures like amniocentesis and Chorionic villus sampling
• Earlier diagnosis of common pregnancy related problems by first trimester evaluation
• Contribution to reducing neonatal complications
• Improved access to specialized fetal care for the underserved population