Vascular AI for guided care in fetal growth restriction
Official title: Vascular Machine Learning Optimized Prognostic and Treatment Pathways in Human Fetal Growth Restriction
Funded at University of Iowa · NIH-11465490 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new AI-powered approach uses fetal blood flow data to help doctors decide the best time to deliver babies at risk for fetal growth restriction.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Iowa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $687,798 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HD123982-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11465490 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Pregnant people with suspected fetal growth restriction or abnormal placental blood flow who require monitoring.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without signs of fetal growth restriction or abnormal fetal blood flow are unlikely to benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
If your baby’s growth or blood flow is at risk, this project uses machine learning to interpret ultrasound blood-flow patterns and predict outcomes. It aims to help clinicians choose the optimal delivery timing to improve survival and reduce complications. The study builds on prior work showing that AI can spot subtle signals in umbilical artery flow beyond traditional measures. It will use data from pregnant people and their fetuses to develop decision-support tools that clinicians could use at the bedside.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to more precise delivery timing and better outcomes for babies at risk of fetal growth restriction.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier AI analyses of umbilical artery flow have shown improved prediction of FGR risk over traditional methods, supporting potential benefits of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Iowa
Iowa City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Santillan, Mark K — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Santillan, Mark K
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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.