Model application to quantitatively evaluate placental features from ultrasound images with gestational diabetes
Abstract
PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to introduce PFCnet (placental features classification network), an multimodel model for evaluating and classifying placental features in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and normal late pregnancy. Deep learning algorithms could be utilized to fully automate the examination of alterations in the placenta caused by hyperglycemia. METHODS: A total of 718 placental ultrasound images, including 139 cases of GDM, were collected, including gray-scale images (GSIs) and microflow images (MFIs). Ultrasonic assessment parameters and perinatal features were recorded. We divided gestational age into two categories for analysis (37 weeks and 37 weeks) based on the cut-off value level of placental maturity. The PFCnet model was introduced for identifying placental characteristics from normal and GDM pregnancies after extensive training and optimization. The model was scored using metrics such as sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and the area under the curve (AUC). RESULTS: In view of multimodal fusion (GSIs and MFIs) and deep network optimization training, the overall diagnostic performance of the PFCnet model depending on the region of interest (ROI) was excellent (AUC: 93%), with a sensitivity of 89%, a specificity of 92%, and an accuracy of 92% in the independent test set. The fusion features of GSIs and MFIs in the placenta showed a higher discriminative power than single-mode features (accuracy: Fusion 92% vs. GSIs 84% vs. MFIs 82%). The independent test set at 37 weeks exhibited a better specificity (75% vs. 69%) but a lower sensitivity(95% vs. 100%). CONCLUSIONS: With its dual channel identification of placental parenchymal and vascular lesions in obstetric complications, the PFCnet classification model has the potential to be a useful tool for detecting placental tissue abnormalities caused by hyperglycemia.
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Gupta et al. and Sun et al. detected early and small changes in placental tissue texture using AI-assisted US and microvascular Doppler imaging in women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and gestational diabetes.
“Early and small changes in placental tissue texture were detected by Gupta et al. and Sun et al. through using AI-assisted US and microvascular Doppler imaging in women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy [118,119] and gestational diabetes [120].”
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- Authors
- Sun, H., Jiao, J., Ren, Y., Guo, Y., & Wang, Y.
- Affiliations
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University (CN)
- Fudan University (CN)
- Corresponding author
- Ren, Yunyun
- Guo, Yi
- Wang, Yuanyuan
- Venue
- Journal of Clinical Ultrasound
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2022-07-10
- Volume
- 50
- Issue
- 7
- Pages
- 976-983
- ISSN
- 0091-2751 (ISSN-L)
- 1097-0096
- OpenAlex
- W4285007515
- Cited by
- 7
- References
- 26
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 1
- FWCI
- 1.25
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Clinical Ultrasound (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Obstetrics and Gynecology › Gestational Diabetes Research and Management
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Health Information Management › Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Health Informatics › Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare and Education
- Keywords
- gestational diabetes mellitus, placental ultrasound, deep learning classification, multimodal image fusion, placental vascular lesions, placental maturity, late pregnancy
- MeSH terms
- Female, Gestational Age, Humans, Hyperglycemia, Infant, Newborn, Placenta, Pregnancy, Ultrasonography, Diabetes, Gestational
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