Dr Ritsuko Kimata Pooh: Revolutionizing Fetal Ultrasonography & Neurology in Japan

One of the major concerns that most parents go through is ensuring the well-being of their babies. In today’s advanced medical era, parents can get diagnoses of genetic medical conditions or birth defects at the earliest stages through prenatal testing. With a rapidly increasing number of prenatal tests and accredited facilities for mothers’ blood test, Japan has become one of the leading countries across the world to embrace unborn babies carefully.

The current state of prenatal diagnosis and fetal neurolo­gy in the world can be attributed to Dr Ritsuko Kimata Pooh, the pioneer of Fetal ultrasonography & neurology in Japan. Widely regarded as one of the major contributors to global prenatal diagnosis and fetal studies, Dr Pooh, apart from her M.D., also has a Bachelor of Laws, a PhD in Medicine, an MSc in Medical Genetics, and an MBA degree. She is also the founder of CRIFM Prenatal Medical Clinic and Ritz Medical, the first specialized fetal diagnosis clinic/laboratory in Japan.

In an exclusive interview with The Global Women Leader, Dr Pooh sheds light on her motivation behind foraying into fetal diagnosis, her overall journey as a fetal medicine specialist, and much more.

What motivated you to foray into the field of clinical research and specialize in the field of fetal medicine?

I was drawn to obstetrics & gynecology as it encompasses the complete spectrum of human existence, including Birth, Life, and Death. My journey into fetal brain science began in 1995 with a case, where I encountered a fetus with suspected brain abnormalities that were difficult to observe through traditional transabdominal ultrasound.

At the time, I was using transvaginal ultrasound to observe uterine arteries, and I wondered if this approach might offer a better view of the fetal brain. When I tried it, I was amazed by the detailed abnormalities I could observe.

However, I knew this initial success might have been beginner's luck. I believed that to avoid missing a single abnormal case, I needed to study 1,000 normal cases first. I kept day-to-day brain images and detailed notes, completing this project in about one year. Subsequently, by following various cases of brain abnormalities with regular examinations every one to two weeks, I learned countless lessons from these unborn babies.

The combination of rigorous observation, systematic documentation, and continuous learning from each case helped establish new frontiers in fetal neurology diagnosis. Today, my diagnostic images are widely respected for being both scientifically precise and artistically rendered.

Tell us about your extensive professional journey as a fetal medicine specialist. What are some key areas of expertise as a clinical researcher?

My expertise centers on three major fields, namely Fetal ultrasonography, Fetal neurology, and Genetics. Since 1995, I have pioneered groundbreaking techniques in detailed fetal brain examination using transvaginal ultrasonography, establishing myself as a leading authority in fetal brain imaging internationally. A significant milestone in my journey on early fetuses was establishing systematic early pregnancy diagnosis in 2009, creating a new field of Sonoembryology.

The same year, I revolutionized prenatal testing in Japan by introducing advanced transabdominal Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) techniques. Before 2008, only 30-40 CVS procedures were performed annually in the whole of Japan. Since 2009, our clinic has been performing over 1,000 CVS and 200 amniocentesis procedures yearly, dramatically transforming Japanese prenatal care.

Recognizing the crucial role of genetics in fetal medicine, I founded Ritz Medical Co. Ltd. in 2009, before establishing a genetic laboratory in the same building as CRIFM Prenatal Medical Clinic in 2011. Our integrated approach has achieved unprecedented efficiency in genetic testing. My commitment to genetic expertise led me to obtain specialist certification in Medical Genetics in Japan, and further pursue a Master of Science in Medical Genetics at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) from 2016 to 2018.

Never let conventional limitations define what's possible

Introduce us to CRIFM Prenatal Medical Clinic.

I established CRIFM in 2006 as Japan's first specialized fetal diagnosis clinic with a distinct mission, which is to provide comprehensive prenatal care that transcends mere diagnosis. Our philosophy is encapsulated in the principle 'No fetal diagnosis without seeing the fetus'. While we continuously invest in state-of-the-art ultrasound equipment, we firmly believe that diagnosis is not the endpoint but rather the starting point of patient care.

While rapid Down syndrome test results by invasive procedure typically take 1-2 weeks in the U.S., Europe, or the Middle East, our CRIFM-Ritz facility can deliver results of Down syndrome within five hours. Similarly, we complete genetic sequencing tests in 5-10 days compared to the standard 3-5 weeks internationally. In 2012, our clinic expanded our services by establishing a genetic counseling department, further enhancing our comprehensive care model.

What are the primary roles and responsibilities you shoulder as the institution’s CEO? Define your success mantra as a leader.

As the CEO, my primary responsibility is to deliver what I call 'Accompanying prenatal diagnostics', which is a comprehensive approach that supports patients throughout their entire pregnancy journey. This includes maintaining close collaboration with pediatric specialists and obstetricians at delivery facilities.

Coming to the success mantras, my journey has been guided by three fundamental principles that serve as my success mantras. The first one is 'It's never too late', which drove me to pursue both a Master of Science (2016-2018) and an MBA (2020-2022). The second success mantra is 'If something doesn't exist, create it'. This philosophy led me to establish both CRIFM and Ritz Medical company, filling crucial gaps in Japanese healthcare.

The last mantra is 'Don't pursue productivity alone'. This principle is embodied in our clinic's design, as our spacious Kizuna (meaning Bonding) Lounge resem­bles a First-Class airport lounge, and our facilities mirror luxury hotels. These facilities serve a deeper purpose, which is providing comfort to parents who spend their daily lives managing medical equipment and procedures for children with disabilities.

Dr Ritsuko Kimata Pooh, President, CRIFM Prenatal Medical Clinic

Widely regarded as one of the major contributors to global prenatal diagnosis and fetal studies, Dr Ritsuko Kimata Pooh is a globally renowned Japanese obstetrician and gynecologist. She founded CRIFM Prenatal Medical Clinic and Ritz Medical, the first specialized fetal diagnosis clinic/ laboratory in Japan. A pioneer of groundbreaking techniques in detailed fetal brain examination using transvaginal ultrasonography, Dr Pooh, apart from her M.D., also has a Bachelor of Laws, a Ph.D. in Medicine, an MSc in Medical Genetics, and an MBA degree.