Evaluation of an improved tool for non-invasive prediction of neonatal respiratory morbidity based on fully automated fetal lung ultrasound analysis

Sci Rep. 2019 Feb 13;9(1):1950. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-38576-w.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of a new version of quantusFLM®, a software tool for prediction of neonatal respiratory morbidity (NRM) by ultrasound, which incorporates a fully automated fetal lung delineation based on Deep Learning techniques. A set of 790 fetal lung ultrasound images obtained at 24 + 0-38 + 6 weeks' gestation was evaluated. Perinatal outcomes and the occurrence of NRM were recorded. quantusFLM® version 3.0 was applied to all images to automatically delineate the fetal lung and predict NRM risk. The test was compared with the same technology but using a manual delineation of the fetal lung, and with a scenario where only gestational age was available. The software predicted NRM with a sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value of 71.0%, 94.7%, 67.9%, and 95.4%, respectively, with an accuracy of 91.5%. The accuracy for predicting NRM obtained with the same texture analysis but using a manual delineation of the lung was 90.3%, and using only gestational age was 75.6%. To sum up, automated and non-invasive software predicted NRM with a performance similar to that reported for tests based on amniotic fluid analysis and much greater than that of gestational age alone.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amniotic Fluid
  • Deep Learning
  • Female
  • Fetal Movement
  • Gestational Age
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Small for Gestational Age
  • Lung / diagnostic imaging*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Trimester, Third
  • Prospective Studies
  • Respiration
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Ultrasonography / methods
  • Ultrasonography, Prenatal / methods*