Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Kawasaki Medical School Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology provides comprehensive education, clinical care, and research in women’s health throughout all stages of life. Our department consists of four major subspecialties: perinatal and fetal medicine, gynecologic oncology, reproductive medicine, and women’s healthcare. We emphasize evidence-based medicine, multidisciplinary team care, and the development of clinician-scientists with a strong research focus. Clinical training includes hands-on experience in obstetrics, gynecologic surgery, reproductive medicine, and fetal diagnosis. Our research focuses on hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, fetal diagnosis and therapy, prenatal genetics, reproductive immunology, minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, pelvic organ prolapse, RPOC, and gynecologic oncology. Through translational research integrating basic and clinical science, we aim to advance women’s healthcare and contribute to regional and global medicine.

The major research themes currently conducted in our department are organized according to the subspecialties of obstetrics and gynecology as follows. All projects are based on clinical questions and are investigated through both basic and clinical research, with findings published in peer-reviewed international journals.

Research fields and main research themes explored in our department are as follows:

1) Perinatal and Fetal Medicine

• Research on the pathophysiological mechanisms of preterm birth and intrauterine infection
• Research on the pathogenesis and therapeutic strategies for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy
• Research on fetal diagnosis and fetal therapy
• Research on advanced perinatal ultrasonographic diagnosis and its clinical application
• Analysis of angiogenic factors, inflammation, and complement systems in perinatal diseases

2) Genetic Medicine and Prenatal Diagnosis

• Research on non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) and genetic counseling systems
• Research on the diagnosis and perinatal management of fetal anomalies and genetic disorders

3) Reproductive Medicine and Reproductive Immunology

• Research on reproductive immunological mechanisms in infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss
• Research on the roles of oxidative stress and cytokines in reproductive medicine
• Research on preconception care and prevention of pregnancy complications

4) Gynecologic Diseases

• Research on the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of uterine fibroids, adenomyosis, and endometriosis
• Research on minimally invasive surgery in gynecology
• Research on the pathophysiology and treatment of pelvic organ prolapse
• Research on the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of retained products of conception (RPOC)

5) Gynecologic Oncology

• Analysis of angiogenesis-related factors in gynecologic malignancies
• Research on HPV-related cervical carcinogenesis
• Research on fertility-sparing treatment for gynecologic cancers
• Research on molecular targeted therapy focusing on IGF-IR-related signaling pathways