A new artificial intelligence-based software integrated into ultrasound devices could help to guide provider decisions during childbirth in real time.
The software uses measurements derived from imaging during a woman’s labor to determine a baby’s exact head position. Once calculated, it signals to providers whether to proceed with natural labor descension or initiate other interventions, such as use of a vacuum extractor or sending patients for emergency cesareans.
After a user captures the necessary images, the AI tool assesses them and gives providers either a green, red or yellow light. Green lights indicate that they can proceed with natural labor descension, red lights signal that an intervention is required, and yellow lights represent uncertainty.
A new paper in The European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology details the development and implementation of the software. In the paper, researchers share that the tool has “excellent” potential to help guide decisions during labor and delivery in the future.
"We have developed an AI model applied to ultrasound that can automatically assess fetal head position during childbirth within a fraction of a second, with excellent overall accuracy,” Tullio Ghi, professor of Gynecology and Obstetrics at the Catholic University of Rome, and colleagues noted.
Researchers used 2,154 transperineal ultrasound images acquired during labor from 16 different birth centers to train, test and validate their model. The labeled images were used to train the model to recognize specific imaging features and patterns; they were acquired from a wide range of labor scenarios and included both births that were considered routine and those that required advanced interventions.
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{URL}https://healthimaging.com/topics/artificial-intelligence/new-ai-based-software-uses-ultrasound-images-guide-clinical-decisions-during-childbirth{/URL}
{Author}Hannah Murphy{/Author}
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