Philippine Clinical Practice Guidelines for Periodic Health Examination: Screening for Prenatal Disorders

Maria Julieta Corazon V. Germar, MD, DHPEd; Lea Roselle O. De Castro, MD; Ma. Sergia Fatima C. Sucaldito, MD; Alfonso Syoei R. Yoshida, MD; Lester Sam A. Geroy, MD, MPH, MSc; Elvie Udaundo Estrada, RM, BSN, BSM, MPH; Daisy Evangeline C. Garcia, MD; Ferdinand B. Sta. Ana, Jr., MD, MPH; Kristine Therese R. Elises-Molon, MD; Karla Kristine Silverio-Fernando, MD; Clarissa L. Velayo, MD, PhD; Lara Marie David–Bustamante, MD; Jo-Ann L. Diosana; Maria Asuncion A. Silvestre, MD; Marie Gene D. Cruz MD; Johannes Paolo B. Cerrado, MD, MSc; Andrew Rufino C. Villafuerte, MD; Lia M. Palileo-Villanueva, MD, MSc; Sherri Ann L. Suplido, MD; Ma. Susan B. Villaluz, MD; Mike Justin A. Gianan, MD, MPH; Endrik H. Sy, MD; Betha Fe M. Castillo, MD Betha Fe M. Castillo, MD; Potre Mairasna P. Boransing, MD; Helen B. De Peralta-Yambao, MD; Maria Theresa G. Cacas, MD; John Jefferson V. Besa, MD, MPH; Ella Mae I. Masamayor, RN, MD; Greco Mark B. Malijan, MD, MSc; Cary Amiel G. Villanueva, MD, MPH; Myzelle Anne J. Infantado-Alejandro, PTRP

doi:10.47895/amp.v60i10.13595

Philippine Clinical Practice Guidelines for Periodic Health Examination: Screening for Prenatal Disorders

Authors

Maria Julieta Corazon V. Germar, MD, DHPEd College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
Lea Roselle O. De Castro, MD Department of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
Ma. Sergia Fatima C. Sucaldito, MD Department of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
Alfonso Syoei R. Yoshida, MD AMOSUP Seamen’s Hospital – Manila, Manila, Philippines
Lester Sam A. Geroy, MD, MPH, MSc Philippine Society of Public Health Physicians (PSPHP), Inc., Parañaque City, Philippines
Elvie Udaundo Estrada, RM, BSN, BSM, MPH Integrated Midwives Association of the Philippines, Pangasinan, Philippines
Daisy Evangeline C. Garcia, MD Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center, La Union, Philippines
Ferdinand B. Sta. Ana, Jr., MD, MPH Municipal Health Office, Narra, Palawan, Philippines
Kristine Therese R. Elises-Molon, MD Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
Karla Kristine Silverio-Fernando, MD Manila Doctors Hospital, Manila, Philippines
Clarissa L. Velayo, MD, PhD College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines , Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
Lara Marie David–Bustamante, MD Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
Jo-Ann L. Diosana Action for Economic Reforms (AER), Quezon City, Philippines
Maria Asuncion A. Silvestre, MD Kalusugan ng Mag-Ina, Inc., (KMI), Quezon City, Philippines
Marie Gene D. Cruz MD Department of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
Johannes Paolo B. Cerrado, MD, MSc Policy and Practice Research Group, Pandemic Sciences Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
Andrew Rufino C. Villafuerte, MD Department of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
Lia M. Palileo-Villanueva, MD, MSc College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
Sherri Ann L. Suplido, MD Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
Ma. Susan B. Villaluz, MD Cebu Puericulture Center and Maternity House, Inc., Cebu, Philippines
Mike Justin A. Gianan, MD, MPH Department of Family and Community Medicine, Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
Endrik H. Sy, MD Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center, Benguet, Philippines
Betha Fe M. Castillo, MD Betha Fe M. Castillo, MD Dagupan Doctors Villaflor Memorial Hospital, Pangasinan, Philippines
Potre Mairasna P. Boransing, MD Amai Pakpak Medical Center, Marawi City, Philippines
Helen B. De Peralta-Yambao, MD Cotabato Regional and Medical Center, Cotabato City, Philippines
Maria Theresa G. Cacas, MD University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Medical Center, Quezon City, Philippines
John Jefferson V. Besa, MD, MPH College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
Ella Mae I. Masamayor, RN, MD Department of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
Greco Mark B. Malijan, MD, MSc Clinical Trial Service and Epidemiological Studies Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
Cary Amiel G. Villanueva, MD, MPH Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
Myzelle Anne J. Infantado-Alejandro, PTRP Department of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines , De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute, Dasmariñas City, Cavite, Philippines

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47895/amp.v60i10.13595

Keywords:

prenatal clinical practice guidelines, screening, antenatal care, maternal health, neonatal health

Abstract

Background. The Philippine Guidelines on Periodic Health Examination (PHEX) support the Universal Health Care Act by providing guidance on quality, accessible, and affordable screening services for Filipinos. Conditions that develop in the prenatal period are a major cause of neonatal deaths in the Philippines and account for 14% of deaths in children under five.

Objectives. This guideline aims to provide evidencebased recommendations for screening prenatal disorders among asymptomatic, pregnant Filipino women. It also aims to equip general practitioners, obstetricsgynecology specialists, allied health professionals, patients, policymakers, regulatory agencies, and healthcare institutions with tools and guidance that facilitate informed, evidence-based healthcare decisions for pregnant women.

Methods. The development of this CPG followed the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach to CPG development recommended in the Department of Health (DOH) Manual. Recommendations were finalized using the Evidence-to-Decision (EtD) framework. Evidence Review Experts conducted a systematic literature search and critically appraised recent local and international clinical guidelines. When necessary, they conducted de novo systematic reviews. Information on the benefits and harms of screening, cost-effectiveness, patient values and preferences, acceptability, feasibility, and its impact on equity was obtained. A multisectoral consensus panel reviewed the evidence and developed recommendations. A user-friendly web application and engagement with stakeholders for promotion and implementation were among the dissemination strategies. Experts conducted an external review to provide feedback on the methodology and recommendations.

Results. Eleven recommendations for different screening strategies to improve the health outcomes of pregnant women and neonates were developed. This CPG contains recommendations for the screening for maternal thyroid disease, gestational diabetes mellitus, group B Streptococcus infection, fetal aneuploidy, risk for preeclampsia, iron deficiency anemia, and undernutrition, and conducting cervical length measurements, first-trimester ultrasound, and second-trimester ultrasound.

Conclusion. This CPG provides 11 evidence-based recommendations. Applicability in the local setting was carefully considered through the involvement of different stakeholders. The recommendations herein shall hold until new evidence on screening, diagnosing, or managing various risk factors and diseases emerges, or contingencies dictate updating this CPG. This guideline will be updated after three (3) years.

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05/30/2026

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Vol. 60 No. 10 (2026): National Practice Guidelines Program (NPGP) Issue 1: Periodic Health Examination (PHEX) Series

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Philippine Clinical Practice Guidelines for Periodic Health Examination: Screening for Prenatal Disorders. Acta Med Philipp [Internet]. 2026 May 30 [cited 2026 Jul. 9];60(10). Available from: https://actamedicaphilippina.upm.edu.ph/index.php/acta/article/view/13595

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Philippine Clinical Practice Guidelines for Periodic Health Examination: Screening for Prenatal Disorders

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