The Ministry of Health has just issued Circular No. 11/2026/TT-BYT stipulating the list of diseases for which fetal sex can be disclosed for diagnostic and treatment purposes. The Circular takes effect from July 1, 2026.
According to the circular, the list includes 137 genetic or congenital diseases, disorders, and syndromes related to sex chromosomes or genes affecting the determination and development of sex. Determining the sex of the fetus in these cases is crucial for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, or prevention of the disease.
The Ministry of Health clarifies that determining the sex of the fetus for diagnostic and treatment purposes involves using specialized techniques to identify the sex chromosome pair, sex differentiation genes, or sex phenotype of the fetus to aid in the diagnosis of genetic diseases that manifest differently in males and females.
At the same time, the circular also clarifies the concept of sex-linked genetic diseases as a group of diseases caused by gene variants located on sex chromosomes; while sex development disorders are congenital conditions causing atypical sex development due to abnormalities in sex chromosomes, gonads, or reproductive organs.
According to regulations, diseases included in the list must have a mechanism directly related to sex and have clinical significance in the diagnosis, prognosis, or management decisions during the prenatal and neonatal periods. In addition, the disease must have a scientific name in Vietnamese and conform to the international ICD-10 identification code.
The circular assigns the Department of Population to take the lead in implementing, guiding, and periodically reviewing the list every two years or when there is a professional, technical, or legal requirement. At the same time, the list of diseases will be published on the electronic portals of the Ministry of Health and the Department of Population.
Furthermore, healthcare facilities are only permitted to disclose the sex of the fetus within the prescribed scope and must provide pre- and post-test counseling to patients regarding the meaning and limitations of the technique, as well as the possibility of not detecting certain diseases.
The head of the medical facility will be held responsible if the sex of the fetus is disclosed for purposes other than diagnosis, treatment, or outside the permitted scope.
Source: https://daibieunhandan.vn/137-benh-duoc-phep-xac-dinh-gioi-tinh-thai-nhi-10417408.html
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