MediScan Systems has partnered with Bangalore based i2i TeleSolutions, a leading supplier of telemedicine software to provide a telesonography platform that can link sonographers and help monitor pregnancy progress. Using iPAD and iPhone, which are now additional screening platforms, early detection of fetal abnormalities can be reviewed and reported remotely through internet or the mobile network by doctors.

"The ability to compress and securely transmit obstetric ultrasound images and data lossless to experts anywhere, any time on platforms like the iPhone and iPAD, fundamentally changes the way healthcare can be accessed from remote locations" , said Arindam Sen, senior vice president at i2i TeleSolutions.

"Providing pregnant mothers early access to fetal healthcare specialists without the constraint of geography is the primary goal of our telesonography platform", said ShamBanerji, CEO of i2i TeleSolutions.

MediScan Systems, Chennai, played a key role in setting standards for Down syndrome screening and setting up a Birth Defects Registry of India. Under the guidance of Dr. Suresh, the Fetal Care Research Foundation (FCRF) has the vision to offer access to the most advanced fetal care for every foetus. The aim of the foundation is to provide preventive, supportive and curative care for birth defects. FCRF is involved in extensive activities to achieve this end.

The telesonography platform integrates the leading ultrasound reporting workstation SONOCARE from MediaLogic, developed under the guidance of Dr Suresh with TelePACS Telemedicine platform from i2iTeleSolutions.

According to the Birth Defects Foundation (March of Dimes), New York report, up to 70 per cent of defects in new borns could be prevented. In case of the babies born with the defects, the severity of the disability could be reduced. Annually an estimated 7.9 million children, which accounts to 6 per cent of total births worldwide are born with a serious birth defect of genetic or partially genetic origin.

"With nearly 30 million births in India, an estimated 1.5 to 2 million children are born with serious birth defects, every year. Serious birth defects can be lethal. Even when they are not lethal a significant number of these disorders can cause life long disability" said Dr S. Suresh, director MediScan Systems, Chennai and one of the pioneers in the field of ultrasound and fetal medicine in India.

"Timely monitoring and structured screening of pregnant mothers especially in the 11-13 week of pregnancy is critical for preventive and corrective measures to be taken early in the pregnancy cycle. Unfortunately, the numbers for fetal medicine specialists trained for handling possible abnormalities is too low in a country like India for the vast number of live births every year", he added.