A new artificial intelligence imaging system is set to be piloted across four NHS hospitals to enhance detection of congenital abnormalities during the standard 20-week pregnancy scan
As reported by Digital Health, the technology, developed in collaboration with King’s College London, will be assessed against conventional ultrasound screening. Congenital anomalies occur in about 2% of UK pregnancies, making early and accurate identification vital for both neonatal health and informed parental decisions.
The 12-month clinical trial, starting in phases from winter 2025, will recruit over 9,500 participants across Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust, Liverpool Women’s University Hospital and Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
Backed by funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), the study will examine cost-effectiveness, efficiency of clinical workflows, and the impact on both staff and patient experience.
If shown to be effective, the AI tool could be incorporated into NHS maternity services, marking a major shift in the way foetal anomaly scans are carried out. Results are expected in early 2027, with the potential to shape global best practice in prenatal screening.
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