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Intelligent Ultrasound
The Importance of Accurate Pregnancy Dating
Accurate dating of pregnancies is crucial for identifying effective treatment. For instance, if a woman has pre-eclampsia and hypertension, knowing whether she is 30 weeks, 34 weeks, or 38 weeks pregnant significantly impacts the treatment decision. The AI-based ScanNav FetalCheck software, developed by Intelligent Ultrasound, addresses this need by accurately dating pregnancies without specialist sonographers.
Trained on millions of images, the software allows midwives or nurses to perform scans by simply swiping an ultrasound probe over the abdomen, providing immediate data and enabling home care with portable devices.
Dr. Angela Koech, an obstetrician and researcher at Nairobi's Aga Khan University, underscores the importance of accurate gestational age in managing complications. "If a woman has severe hypertension late in pregnancy, knowing the exact gestational age is critical for deciding whether to deliver the baby."
Bringing Ultrasound Scans to Underserved Regions
In many countries, mothers-to-be cherish the first ultrasound scan as a memorable milestone. However, in several parts of the world, this remains a luxury. Low- and middle-income countries often lack trained specialists and adequate equipment, which are typically concentrated in urban hospitals far from rural communities. The pilot project in Uganda uses AI to not only scan unborn babies but also to motivate women to seek early prenatal care, reducing the risk of stillbirths and complications.
"Early pregnancy check-ups can be a matter of life and death," says Dr. Daniel Lukakamwa, an obstetrician and gynecologist at Kawempe National Referral Hospital in Kampala. "The AI software has significantly increased interest among pregnant women to attend ultrasound scans."
Predicting High-Risk Pregnancies
At Kawempe hospital, the main goal is to predict pregnancies at the highest risk of stillbirth. but radiographer Joness Biira also reports that word-of-mouth referrals have increased participation in the research program, with mothers expressing trust and satisfaction in the results.
Empowering Mothers with Information
For Sarah Kyolaba, a 30-year-old from Kikoni village, the technology has provided peace of mind during her second pregnancy. "I get to see how my baby is developing and moving," she says. "It makes me happy to see how my baby is bouncing."
The Future of AI-Driven Services
Dr. Papageorghiou acknowledges concerns about the perceived quality of AI-driven services in poorer countries. "The ideal is to provide the same level of care available in high-income countries. But realistically, this has not been achievable. Therefore, an interim AI solution is a significant step forward."
Read the Guardian article - ‘I am happy to see how my baby is bouncing’
Explore more about our Global Health theme and our groundbreaking research initiatives led by Dr. Aris Papageorghiou and our dedicated team.