Special Interest Groups

The International Society for Prenatal Diagnosis (ISPD) established Special Interest Groups (SIGs) in 2008. The SIGs aim to provide a forum for all professionals involved in a specific field of prenatal diagnosis and screening. They promote interaction, discussion and exchange of ideas and opinions between the various specialists from all countries and continents. As such, SIGs are involved in education and training. The SIGs organize a members meeting during each ISPD International Conference and regularly report in the ISPD e-Newsletter, Prenatal Perspectives. 

 

Currently, ISPD offers the following SIGs:

  • Ethics of Reproductive Testing and Fetal Therapy
  • Fetal Therapy
  • Genetic Counseling
  • Imaging in Pregnancy (formerly Fetal Ultrasound)
  • Laboratory Techniques
  • Reproductive Screening

All ISPD members are invited to join one or more SIGs!    

ISPD Members - Join a SIG today!

 

Ethics of Reproductive Testing and Fetal Therapy

The Ethics of Reproductive Testing and Fetal Therapy SIG provides a forum for engagement, education and support around ethical issues arising in reproductive testing and fetal therapy.

Topics of Discussion Include: 

  • Ethical theory and concepts in reproduction
  • Ethics and prenatal screening
  • Informed choice and informed consent
  • Disclosure of incidental findings and the "right not to know"
  • Equity in access to services
  • Preconception screening
  • Ethics and fetal therapy
Go to the Ethics SIG page

Fetal Therapy

The Fetal Therapy SIG aims to provide a forum for all professionals involved in the field of fetal diagnosis and treatment, with the aim to advance our knowledge and skills.

Topics of Discussion Include: 

  • Open Surgery
  • Gene Therapy
  • Twin-Twin Transfusion
  • Fetoscopy
Go to the Fetal Therapy SIG page










Genetic Counseling

The Genetic Counseling SIG is dedicated to encouraging the exchange of information and experience among professionals providing genetic counseling as well as increasing international awareness of the profession.

Topics of Discussion Include: 

  • Screening and diagnostic techniques
  • Chromosome analysis and microarray
  • Pan-Ethnic carrier screening
  • International collaboration among GCs
  • Genetic counselor training
  • International utilization of GCs
  • Development of an international database of prenatal GCs
Go to the Genetic Counseling SIG page

Imaging in Pregnancy

This SIG has recently changed its name to include imaging modalities beyond fetal ultrasound, which is still the mainstay of prenatal imaging diagnosis. Activities focus predominantly on pre-congress courses, but the SIG also wishes to produce tools for clinical aid (systematic reviews, management algorithms) and to offer a forum for ongoing engagement between SIG members, and with other professionals involved in Prenatal Diagnosis, including those working in the laboratory and clinical settings.
 

SIG Mission Statement

To improve the knowledge and use of both established and innovative imaging techniques in prenatal diagnosis, and to increase the awareness of fetal imaging specialists (Maternal-fetal medicine specialists, radiologists and radiographers) in fetal dysmorphology.
 

SIG Topics of Discussion/Interest
  • Prenatal Dysmorphology of Genetic Syndromes
  • Detection of Congenital Anomalies
  • Ultrasound Markers of Aneuploidy
  • The Genetic Sonogram
  • Prenatal and postmortem MRI
  • Color and pulsed Doppler
  • New Ultrasound Technologies
  • First trimester screening
  • ltrasound-guided invasive diagnostic procedures
Go to the Imaging SIG page

Laboratory Techniques

The Laboratory Techniques SIG is dedicated to the advancement of the art and science of all aspects of the various laboratory techniques in use in the fetal diagnosis, including validation and implementation of new techniques.

Topics of Discussion Include: 

  • Noninvasive prenatal testing
  • NIPD for monogenic disorders
  • PGD
  • Cytogenetics
  • Molecular genetics
  • Arrays
  • Quality Control
  • Guidelines
Go to the Laboratory Techniques SIG page

Reproductive Screening

The Reproductive Screening SIG fosters and encourages the provision of clinically useful and scientifically valid reproductive screening.

Topics of Discussion Include: 

  • Serum and ultrasound markers for fetal and maternal conditions
  • cf-DNA based screening
  • Carrier screening for monogenic disorders
  • Quality control and quality assurance
  • Ethical, legal and social aspects
  • Clinical trials
  • New Methods
  • Policies
  • Community Education and Information
  • Health Professional Training
  • Epidemiology
Go to the Reproductive Screening SIG page