Comparative Analysis of Automated Applications using Fetal Ultrasound Images

Abstract

Computer-assisted technology plays an important role in helping to reduce risk during pregnancy, particularly serious risks associated with intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR). Fetal gestational age estimation and fetal weight estimation are two crucial factors in evaluating fetal growth and detecting any abnormality of growth, in order to identify IUGR risk to the fetus. The estimation is made through serial measurement of fetal anatomy comprising the length, diameter and circumference of multiple segments in the fetus scanned through an ultrasound machine. The computing method helps to overcome human subjectivity in assessment that is prone to variability in measurement. Automatic measurement methods carried out by the computer can help in producing fast, accurate and reproducible measurement and assessment of the fetal anatomy. This study presents an analysis of techniques attempted by researchers in conducting automated fetal biometric anatomy measurements using ultrasound images. Chronological comparative analysis presented in this paper will aid other researchers who are keen to explore on computer-assisted technology especially in the field of fetal ultrasound imaging.