Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the field of sonography by significantly enhancing the speed and accuracy of 20-week pregnancy scans. A recent study conducted by King’s College London and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, with funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), has demonstrated that AI can assist sonographers in detecting fetal abnormalities at these crucial scans nearly twice as fast as traditional methods, without compromising diagnostic precision.

The utilization of AI technology in 20-week pregnancy scans has the potential to transform patient care by enabling sonographers to allocate more time to interacting with expectant parents or focusing on specific areas of concern. This innovative approach marks a groundbreaking advancement in prenatal screening, as it streamlines the scanning process, making it more efficient and effective.

During the trial, which involved 78 pregnant participants and 58 sonographers, AI-assisted scans were found to be notably shorter than standard scans, reducing the overall scan duration by over 40%. By automating the capture of multiple snapshots for each fetal measurement, AI not only accelerates the scanning process but also enhances the reliability of measurements compared to manual techniques. This improvement in accuracy can have a profound impact on assessing fetal growth and health, potentially leading to earlier interventions that could positively influence health outcomes for the baby.

One of the key advantages of integrating AI into sonography is the ability to provide expectant parents with more personalized attention and care during the 20-week scan. By freeing up time for sonographers through the use of AI, healthcare professionals can offer enhanced support to parents, alleviating anxieties and fostering a more comforting and reassuring experience.

The positive outcomes of the trial have paved the way for the wider implementation of AI technology in pregnancy ultrasound through Fraiya, a spinout company from King’s College London, Guy’s and St Thomas’, and King’s College Hospital. Fraiya aims to develop AI-powered tools that optimize medical diagnoses, support healthcare providers, and elevate the standard of care for patients.

The successful integration of AI into 20-week pregnancy scans not only exemplifies the potential of technology to enhance healthcare practices but also underscores the commitment of institutions like King’s College London and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust to advancing patient-centered care. With the continuous evolution of AI applications in healthcare, the future holds promising opportunities for further improving prenatal screening and maternal-fetal health outcomes.