The history of the department began in 1965 year. On the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the medical faculty of the Kharkov Medical Institute, which was at the head of Professor I.I.Gryschenko, started the providing of operations on the correction of developmental defects of sexual organs. E.Ya.Grechanina has gathered the groups of enthusiasts: A.A.Perederij, I.Ya.Voronova, V.L.Negryu, O.V.Golovchansky, and L.A.Dobrodetskaya. This group began to develop the approach for confirmation of diagnosis from positions of last genetic achievements.

The laboratory of biochemical genetics was developed. There were started the researches of human chromosomes and medical genetic counseling of families. The first patient had the anomaly of sexual differentia. Now he is 60 years old. The second patient was the fetus with high risk of cystic fibrosis. Now he is 40 years old.

Thus, the clinical genetics was revived. More than 100 children with anomalies of sexual differentia live the life of full value after provided correction.

1967 year. The main doctor of the Region Clinical Hospital has distinguished the first official positions on the staff of geneticist – midwife, geneticist – podiatrist, geneticist – laboratory assistant and doctor – cytogeneticist. The head of the laboratory of clinical genetics at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Kharkov Medical Institute was assigned E. Ya. Grechanina (Trunova). There were carried out such scientific works – on the genetic aspects of the fatigue of the generic activity, on the anomalies of the sexual differention, on the studying of chromosomal anomalies in the perinatal pathology, on the immunologic conflict in pregnant, on the inborn developmental defects, on the maternity fetus infection; on the invasive methods of prenatal diagnostics. There were defenses of a thesis: E. Ya. Grechanina, I.Ya.Voronova, L.Z.Nadezhdina, L.A.Rebrova. E.Ya.Grechanina is learning in the laboratories of E.F.Davidenkova, I.V.Butomo, P.G.Svetlova.

1968 – 1969 years. Acquiring of methods of the invasive prenatal diagnostics was led to the scientific work of L.A.Rebrova.

1970 year.   The meaning of cytogenetic researches in the correction sex of the fetus in intersexes was studied.

1971 year. The laboratory of clinical genetics was enlarged its researches in the prenatal detection of inborn developmental defects. There were enlarged the methods of surgical treatment of anomalies of the sexual differentia. For the first time the laboratory was presented its experience of the medical genetic counseling in inborn developmental defects.

1972 – 1974 years. There were carried out such scientific works – the investigation of a fetus in the increased risk of stillborn; the medical genetic counseling of matrimonial pairs with the gravitated obstetrical anamnesis; changes of the cardiac activity of a fetus under influence of uterine bleedings, inducted oxytocin; complex method of the diagnostics of the hemolytic disease of the fetus in conditions of isoantigen incompatibility.

1975 year. For the first time the laboratory was presented its data abroad – on the Congress in Mechiko.

1979 year. The laboratory was turned into the medical genetic counseling in the structure of the clinics was at the head of I.I.Gryschenko, was situated in three rooms by the principle “two in one”.          So far as the medical genetic counseling works on the base of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, all its scientific and practical novelty go in the educational process. There was created the supportive group of students, which sharply assimilate the new knowledge, aspire to take possession of them. There was formed the tradition – the destiny with the clinical genetics have the cleverest students but those, who don’t afraid of incomprehension of society, those, who can suffer hardship and don’t become hardened, who can achieve a target, who can say “I don’t know” and prove that he wants to know. So, there was formed a very young group of staff. It developed the biochemical genetics, cytogenetics, the invasive methods of prenatal diagnostics, and the ultrasound diagnostics. The international association developed: the participation in the conferences in Varna, Berlin, Praga. There were created the new directions: there was created the model of the structure of medical genetic help of population; there was developed the methodology of the ultrasound research of a fetus; there were established not invasive and immunofermental methods of the diagnostics of inborn developmental defects in a fetus; there was developed the clinical cytogenetics; there was created the computer program with the help of which the condition of health and genetic peculiarities of Kharkov population was studying. This program collects thousands of pregnant under the observation of the medical genetic counseling. The medical genetic counseling became the second home for them. 93% of families have the healthy children after the medical genetic counseling. There is the passport of newborn “Your child”; there is the doctor – geneticist for each female consultation, which provides the observation; there was created the special genetic card, which gives the possibility to take into consideration the result of births.

1984 – 1985 years. Тhere was created the Regional Medical Genetic Center – there were opened its sputniks in Sumy, Poltava and Chernigov Regions; the staff of the Sputniks were prepared in the Regional Medical Genetic Center; all the regions of the Kharkiv Region and municipal obstetrical establishments have its counselors – geneticists; there were created three interregional medical genetic rooms, which were closed the sputnik system.

The number of families counseling in the Medical Genetic Center growth steady. Interregional Medical Genetic Center provides the mass ultrasound screening of pregnant, all the specialists are studying in our Center using our equipment providing the mass screening. All the pregnant with the gravitated obstetrical anamnesis have the medical genetic counseling immediately. The information about the finish of the births enters in the Medical Genetic Center. There were carried out the anonymous questionnaire of families about quality of the work of doctors of the Center: there was received the highest mark. The number of the biochemical researches of the patients arrives at 70000 per year and allows to study genetic characteristics of the Kharkov population. There was established that some inherited diseases of the nervous system were the genographical peculiarity of the region. The scientific researches were directed to the search of ways of the early diagnostics of these diseases. The first candidates of sciences – Docent E.A.Pesochina and Professor Zhadan today. The integration of genetics and medicine started. First of all there was responded a therapy, the school, which was at the head of the Academician L.T. Malaya. Then the Institute of Endocrinology, the Institute of the Urgent Therapy, for which the Center helped to establish the diagnosis, were connected. There was created the registry of inborn and inherited pathology. There was appeared the possibility to plan the preventative measures. The Center develops the problem of primary prevention of inborn developmental defects. This direction of the Center became priority as for our country as abroad. Its effectiveness arrives to 93%: the defects were prevented before the conception.

1986 – 1987 years. There was started the mass screening of newborns for phenylketonuria and hypothyrosis. There were the first children, in which the Center prevented the severe mental retardation. There was started the mass screening of pregnant for AFP for the early diagnostics of development. Because of the priority in this direction the “Hoffmann la Rosh” firm presented the laboratory equipment. The Center and the Department participate in all extreme ecological situations (Chernobil, Chernovtsi, Shostka). The Medical Genetic Center inspected all children’s and school establishments, children’s houses and the houses for invalid children in the Kharkov Region.

1988 year.  The Center turns into the new stage on the work direction and level of material base. The order of the Center about obliged consultation by the doctor – geneticist of all the children with inborn and inherited pathology began to work.

1989 year.   There was opened the Department of Clinical Diagnostics in the KIID (Kharkiv Institute of Improvement of Doctors). It became the integral part of the Center. The scientific, practical and methodical “power” stays in the same hands. The teaching bases of genetics of the doctors became popularity in many countries. The staff of the Department and the Center joined their efforts in the liquidation of genetic ignorance: the education provides on the departure cycles and other measures. Annually 200 doctors of Ukraine train on the medical genetics. The new dissertations of candidates and doctors of sciences are planning.

1991 year.   There was created the Ukrainian Association of Specialists of Ultrasound Diagnostics. Professor E.Ya. Grechanina was selected as its President.

E.Ya.Yakovenko, E.P.Zdibskaya, I.A.Jadan, O.V.Romadina became a leading specializes. A lot of Ukrainian cities invite collaborators of the Center for training of the bases of genetic and ultrasound diagnostics. Congresses and symposiums were conducting every year. Journal of “Ultrasound prenatal diagnostic” was established; today this is a journal of high medical certificate commission in Ukraine.

1992 year. The level of prenatal diagnostics of malformations by physicians of the Center reached the World point and genetic approach was higher, but this fact was recognized only in 1995 on Japan World Congress. High technical base and knowledge on genetics open all doors of future congresses for the Center and Department.

1994-1996 years. The Kiev Scientific Meeting acknowledged that there was created School of Clinical Genetics in Kharkov.

1997 year.   The President of Ukraine presented to Department and the Center Ukrainian State Scientific and Technical Reward.

1998 year. The Center creates the conditions for development of new genetics. The molecular methods of the diagnostics are mastering. At first there was introduced the new system of training doctors – two years cycle. The Department became supportive in Ukraine. There were opened the branches in Zhytomyr, Sumy. There was created the program “Replication” for development of the Center’s experience in Lutsk, Sumy, Poltava, Chernigov. There was started the international collaboration of Fund and Plevensk State University. E.Ya. Grechanina was selected in the American Institute “Ultrasound in Medicine”, the member of World Association “Ultrasound Diagnostics in Obstetrics”. The Center’s works were presented on the World Congresses in Washington, Kyoto, Rotterdam, Zagreba, Rio-de-Zhaneiro, Edinburg, Berlin.

1999 year. 10 projects of clinical genetics development in Kharkov region were created. Within abovementioned projects was prepared opening of oncogenetic consultation, Center of metabolic diseases. For the first time “Passport of newborn” has been appeared by decree of Сity Head Assistant. Studying of genetic reasons of scoliosis in children in boarding school was begun. We create scientific school of clinical geneticists: first our pupil gets ready to official defense of candidate dissertation. Develops new scientific direction to be discovered at beginning of century by Koltsov – EVFENIKA. We believe that preconception prophylactic will allow studying it. Study of epigenetic heredity mechanism was begun.

2000 year. The Center of prenatal education of children was opened. Department of Medical Genetics of KSMU was opened. We will build unique scientific-study-medicinal association consists of Department of Kharkov State Medical University, Kharkov Specialized Medical-Genetic Center and some associations including international (American-Danish-Ukrainian).

2001 year. The I International student conference on medical genetics was held. Center laboratories: biochemical, cytogenetic, of molecular and prenatal diagnostics have passed ministry accreditation and have got highest valuation and license for carrying out investigations for 5 years.

2002 year. Region conference in medical genetics “Adult hereditary diseases – clinics, diagnostics, treatment” was held.

2003 year. Members of Center Yu.Grechanina and V.Gusar have got State President Prize for young scientists in science and technique for carrying out work “Mitochondrial diseases. Problems of diagnostics, treatment and prophylactics”. Doctors of Center during year create cycle of TV programs “Genetics for all” about problems of medical genetics. I Ukrainian Congress in clinical genetics with international participation “Metabolic Hereditary Diseases” was held.

2004 year. Director of Center of Clinical Genetics and Prenatal Diagnostics was appropriated rank of member-correspondent of Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine as recognition of contribution in medical genetics development in Ukraine. International student Olympiad “Genetisist-2004” was held. Ukrainian-American-Danish seminar “Future Collaboration in Phenilketonuria treatment” was held. The Center held action “Is Kharkov healthy? Kharkov is healthy!” Kharkov Interregional Center of Clinical Genetics and Prenatal Diagnostics was renamed to the Kharkov Specialized Medical Genetic Center.

2005 year. E.Ya.Grechanina stand the first Ukrainian professor – member of International Association SSIEM.

2000-2023 years. The educational process at the department is built on classical principles and modern technologies. The department has created an audio and video class with a full course of lectures, slide and video films, uses a multimedia projector, catalogs of regional hereditary pathology. A departmental library of scientific literature was created, which includes 1,200 works on the problems of clinical genetics, medical genetic counseling, and prenatal diagnostics. The department prepared and published 3 monographs on the problems of clinical genetics. In 1999-2003, the department carried out the State program of genetic monitoring, which allowed not only to determine the frequency of birth defects in the region, but also to create a system of prospective genetic counseling. Scientific researches of the department were carried out together with leading scientists, they made it possible to study mitochondrial DNA haplotypes in the Ukrainian population and establish molecular diagnostics of mitochondrial diseases, with which cooperation in the field of diagnosis and treatment of organic acidurias has been established. The department’s priority areas of scientific research are hereditary metabolic diseases, mitochondrial diseases, disorders in the folate cycle system, as well as modern methods of diagnosis and three-level prevention of hereditary pathology. The main directions of scientific activity: determination of correlations between genotype, phenotypic features and biochemical characteristics in hereditary syndromes; diagnosis and development of effective methods of treatment of mitochondrial pathology; diagnosis and ways of rehabilitation of chromosomal and monogenic diseases; evaluation of the effectiveness of three-level prevention and screening programs for hereditary pathology; study of polymorphic variants in the genes of the folate cycle in the Ukrainian population for the purpose of individual correction and prevention of vascular pathology.

2023 year. The Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, Pediatric Gynecology and Medical Genetics of the Kharkiv National Medical University was founded in 2023 by merging two departments of the Educational and Scientific Institute of Postgraduate Education of KhNMU – the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Pediatric Gynecology, which has been working at KhNMU since 2012, and the Department of Medical of genetics is the first independent department of genetics in Ukraine, which was founded in 2000, and since 2003 it has become the main department of medical genetics in the country. The department of obstetrics, gynecology, children’s gynecology and medical genetics works in the system of postgraduate education on the basis of the Educational and Scientific Institute of Postgraduate Education of KHNMU. The main directions of its activity are educational and methodical, scientific, consultative and medical and diagnostic work.