Picture this: Using AI to analyze photographs of the placenta

Picture this: Using AI to analyze photographs of the placenta: Researchers are developing an AI tool to evaluate placental photographs that could provide predictions for multiple adverse outcomes, such as infection or sepsis. Early tool could predict life-threatening complications Despite its crucial role in pregnancy, the placenta is a highly understudied organ. Evaluation of the placenta after birth can provide timely information about the health of both mother and baby, yet the vast majority of placentas are discarded without analysis, as pathological examinations can be costly, time-intensive, and require specialized expertise. But what if the placenta could be analyzed with simple photographs? Researchers at Penn State are developing a tool that uses AI to evaluate a picture of the placenta, providing a prediction for multiple adverse outcomes, such as infection or sepsis. With further refinement, this technology could flag individual patients for enhanced monitoring or immediate follow-up care, potentially improving infant and maternal outcomes, especially in low-income regions. Their research was recently featured on the cover of Patterns, a journal published by Cell. Early tool could predict life-threatening complications Despite its crucial role in pregnancy, the placenta is a highly understudied organ. Evaluation of the placenta after birth can provide timely information about the health of both mother and baby, yet the vast majority of placentas are discarded without analysis, as pathological examinations can be costly, time-intensive, and require specialized expertise. But what if the placenta could be analyzed with simple photographs? Researchers at Penn State are developing a tool that uses AI to evaluate a picture of the placenta, providing a prediction for multiple adverse outcomes, such as infection or sepsis. With further refinement, this technology could flag individual patients for enhanced monitoring or immediate follow-up care, potentially improving infant and maternal outcomes, especially in low-income regions. Their research was recently featured on the cover of Patterns, a journal published by Cell. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39776848/