‘I am happy to see how my baby is bouncing’: the AI transforming pregnancy scans in Africa
The software has been trained on a database of millions of images to ‘recognise’ a pregnancy’s gestation.
Intelligent Ultrasound
Media Source: The Guardian (UK)
Date: 15 July 2024
While ultrasound services are normal practice in many countries, software being tested in Uganda will allow a scan without the need for specialists, providing an incentive for pregnant women to visit health services early on. AI is also being used in the largest ever study of aspirin to prevent pre-eclampsia. It will compare the…
While ultrasound services are normal practice in many countries, software being tested in Uganda will allow a scan without the need for specialists, providing an incentive for pregnant women to visit health services early on. AI is also being used in the largest ever study of aspirin to prevent pre-eclampsia. It will compare the effects of two different drug doses among women at high risk of developing the condition. An accurate gestational age is vital to the trial. Pre-eclampsia risk changes as pregnancy progresses, and aspirin’s prophylactic effect depends on it being given early. Dr Angela Koech, an obstetrician working in rural Kenya and research scientist at Nairobi’s Aga Khan University, said accurate dating was vital. “The biggest challenge I face is when I have a mum, usually late in pregnancy, who has developed a complication and I need to make a decision about her,” says Koech, who has led research guiding the development of AI ultrasound programmes.