Genetic Screening and Counseling in Perinatal Medicine: their Implications for Maternal and Fetal Health

Lubna Abdulbaqi; Israa Jabbar Mleehim; Zahraa Mohamed Husein Abdulah; Abbas AbdulWahhab Jumaah Al-Salihi; Ali Qais Abdulkafi

Authors

Dr. Lubna Abdulbaqi M.B.Ch.B., D.G.O. \ (Obstetrician and Gynecology) Retired Iraqi Ministry of Health, Basra Health Directorate, Al-Mousawi Private Hospital, Basra, Iraq
Dr. Israa Jabbar Mleehim M.B.Ch.B., F.I.C.O.G.\ (Specialist Obstetrician and Gynecology Iraqi Ministry of Health, Thi Qar Health Directorate, Al-Habboy Teaching Hospital, Thi Qar, Iraq
Dr. Zahraa Mohamed Husein Abdulah M.B.Ch.B., D.G.O. \ (Obstetrician and Gynecology) Iraqi Ministry of Health, Basra Health Directorate, Al-Basra General Teaching Hospital, Gynecology and Obstetrics Department, Basra, Iraq
Abbas AbdulWahhab Jumaah Al-Salihi M.Sc. \ (Sciences in Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology \ Molecular Biology) Department of Applied Embryology, High Institute for Infertility Diagnosis and Assisted Reproductive Technologies, Nahrain University, Kadhimiya, Baghdad, Iraq
Dr. Ali Qais Abdulkafi M.B.Ch.B., D.C.H. \ (Pediatrics) Iraqi Ministry of Health, Kirkuk Health Directorate, Director of the Technical Affairs Department, Kirkuk Teaching Hospital, Kirkuk, Iraq

Vol. 3 No. 10 (2025): International Journal of Pediatrics and Genetics

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October 14, 2025

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Genetic screening and counseling are represented as an important part of perinatal medicine for maternal and fetal health, which clarified the importance of prenatal diagnostic techniques and testing in helping to detect significant fetal abnormalities early, where our current study aims to record clinical outcomes and evaluate the impact of genetic screening and counseling on maternal and fetal health.

Furthermore, clinical outcomes in mothers and fetuses were collected from different hospitals in Iraq, during the period from January 2, 2024, to December 25, 2025, during which a total of 87 pregnant women underwent comprehensive fetal screening, testing, and counseling, as it was assessed the outcomes and the mother's psychological state were assessed.

The mean age of the study group was 28.5 years, and the most frequent reason for screening was advanced maternal age (51.7%). The most common screening method was NIPT (69.0%), and abnormalities, mostly Trisomy 21 (53.3%), were found in 17.2% of tests. Genetic counseling affected decisions, with 13.8% choosing to terminate the pregnancy and 69.0% continuing it, and dramatically decreased maternal anxiety levels (7.8 to 4.2, p<0.01). 13.8% of neonates had congenital defects at birth, compared to 86.2% who were healthy. 74.7% of mothers stated that they were "very happy" with therapy, indicating high levels of satisfaction. Where our study concluded that both genetic screening and counseling play an important role in perinatal outcomes, it also notes that they significantly improve maternal and fetal health. Genetic screening and counseling facilitate critical decision-making and improve maternal well-being.

Abdulbaqi, L., Mleehim, I. J., Husein Abdulah, Z. M., Jumaah Al-Salihi, A. A., & Abdulkafi, A. Q. (2025). Genetic Screening and Counseling in Perinatal Medicine: their Implications for Maternal and Fetal Health. International Journal of Pediatrics and Genetics , 3(10), 17–23. Retrieved from https://medicaljournals.eu/index.php/IJPG/article/view/2197

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International Journal of Pediatrics and Genetics

Genetic Screening and Counseling in Perinatal Medicine: their Implications for Maternal and Fetal Health

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