A new AI-powered tool may soon transform prenatal care in the United States, offering doctors a sharper eye to detect fetal abnormalities that traditional ultrasounds often miss.
Smarter Ultrasounds in Real Time
The FDA has cleared a software developed by BioticsAI, a U.S.-based start-up, for clinical use. Designed to work alongside existing ultrasound machines, the AI analyses images as they are captured, flagging potential issues and highlighting parts of the fetus that may need closer inspection.
Prenatal ultrasounds are standard during pregnancy, giving healthcare providers a glimpse of the baby’s development. However, many structural problems affecting organs or limbs can go undetected. BioticsAI aims to change that by supporting doctors with real-time insights and automated alerts.
How the Technology Works
Once an image is captured, the software immediately checks its quality and suggests adjustments for a clearer view. It also ensures that all critical parts of the baby are visible, alerting clinicians if something is missing.
The AI then compares the scan with global patterns to identify potential anomalies, from heart defects to limb malformations. After the scan, it produces a report summarizing the findings, helping doctors make faster, more informed decisions. Developers say this process can save around eight minutes per patient on documentation.
Addressing a Persistent Gap in Prenatal Care
Birth defects affect nearly 24 out of every 10,000 births in Europe, according to European Commission data. Research by Cochrane, reviewing more than seven million pregnancies, shows that a single early ultrasound detects just 38% of abnormalities, while a mid-pregnancy scan finds 51%. Combining both scans increases detection to 84%, but gaps remain.
AI solutions are also emerging in Europe. French companies Diagnoly and Sonio Detect have introduced similar software that automatically identifies fetal structures and heart issues, offering a glimpse of how AI could make prenatal screenings safer and more accurate worldwide.
