How AI could transform pregnancy scanning
Researchers at King’s College London and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust have been trialling AI technology to perform the crucial 20-week pregnancy scan, which is used to identify foetal abnormalities.
The results of the trial were published in the journal NEJM AI and revealed that AI scans were up to 42 per cent faster than standard scans, and equally accurate. Almost 80 pregnant women and 58 sonographers took part in the trial, with each woman scanned twice, once using the AI-assisted scanner and once in the usual way. The AI scan appeared to be equally reliable and significantly faster than the standard method.
Researchers say they hope the use of AI in pregnancy scanning would allow sonographers more time to focus on patient care. There are now plans to roll the trial out more widely, although it is unclear when this technology might become available.
The twenty-week scan
While most newly pregnant women are holding out for the 12-week scan in order to feel confident in telling family and friends about their pregnancy, the 20-week scan is the most important pre-natal screening test, as it allows us to check and measure the baby’s anatomy, check for any abnormalities and test for rare health conditions.
What happens at the 20-week scan?
Your scan will be carried out by a medical professional called a sonographer, who is an expert in carrying out and analysing ultrasound scans. When you arrive at the scan, the sonographer will ask you to lie down on the bed, and to lift your top and lower the waistband of your trousers or skirt, so that your belly is exposed.
The sonographer will then rub some gel onto your abdomen – this ensures a sharper image – and hold a probe against your skin. The scan image will then appear on the sonographer’s screen, and they will be able to take the measurements they need.
What sort of abnormalities are being checked for?
The 20-week scan can be used to diagnose conditions such as:
- Cleft lip and palate
- Heart problems
- Spina bifida
- Edwards’ and Patau’s syndrome
- Kidney problems
- Skeletal dysplasias
It is important to remember that most of these conditions are very rare – in most cases, your 20-week scan will just serve as reassurance that you are carrying a very healthy baby. If the sonographer has any concerns, you may be referred for further scans.
What else can the 20-week scan show?
Most expectant parents arrive at their 20-week scan hoping to find out the gender of their baby. In general, the 20-week scan can be used to identify the sex of the foetus, but it is important to be aware that sometimes the position of the baby makes this impossible.
If you don’t want to find out your baby’s gender, it is important to let the sonographer know this as soon as you arrive for your scan – that way, they can ensure the screen is angled away from you in case of any tell-tale signs!
While AI-assisted scans may be an exciting development in future, it is important to remember that standard, sonographer-led scans are just as accurate, and are widely available here and now.
