Using AI to create affordable ultrasound technology for detecting pregnancy complications
Official title: AI-driven low-cost ultrasound for automated quantification of hypertension, preeclampsia, and IUGR
Funded at Emory University · NIH-10914315 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new, affordable ultrasound system that uses artificial intelligence to help healthcare workers in rural Guatemala and urban Georgia better detect serious pregnancy issues like high blood pressure and growth problems in babies, making sure more moms and babies get the care they need.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $606,283 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD110480-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10914315 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant individuals in underserved areas who may be at risk for hypertension, preeclampsia, or IUGR.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or those with access to standard high-cost diagnostic methods may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a low-cost ultrasound system powered by artificial intelligence to improve the detection of serious pregnancy-related conditions such as hypertension, preeclampsia, and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). By validating this technology in underserved populations in rural Guatemala and urban Georgia, the project aims to ensure that frontline healthcare workers can effectively screen for these conditions. The approach involves comparing the AI-driven ultrasound results with traditional high-cost diagnostic methods to assess accuracy and reliability.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve maternal and fetal health outcomes by providing accessible and accurate screening for pregnancy complications.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promise in using AI for medical diagnostics, indicating that this approach could be effective, though the specific application in this context is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Clifford, Gari David — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Clifford, Gari David
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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AI-powered low-cost ultrasound to detect high-risk pregnancy conditions
A new, affordable ultrasound AI system helps frontline workers identify pregnancy complications like high blood pressure, preeclampsia, and restricted fetal growth.
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Low-cost AI ultrasound to detect high blood pressure, preeclampsia, and poor fetal growth
This effort uses an inexpensive ultrasound with AI to find high blood pressure, preeclampsia, and fetal growth problems in pregnant people, especially in underserved communities.
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Dynamic risk prediction and subtyping of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy
A digital health approach uses AI to spot early warning signs of preeclampsia and gestational hypertension from pregnancy data, so clinicians can tailor care for pregnant people.
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Understanding how genes and environment interact to cause preeclampsia and later high blood pressure in mothers
This project looks at why some pregnancies develop preeclampsia and how it relates to long-term blood pressure and heart health in mothers.
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Children's long-term health after treating chronic hypertension in pregnancy
This grant studies how giving antihypertensive medicine during pregnancy for women with chronic high blood pressure affects their children’s health as they grow up.
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Reducing chronic high blood pressure after preeclampsia to protect heart and vessels
A randomized trial tests whether more intensive blood pressure control in the weeks after giving birth can lower long-term high blood pressure and improve blood vessel health in women who had a hypertensive pregnancy.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.