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Fetal ultrasound image segmentation system and its use in fetal weight estimation

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Abstract

A semi-automated fetal ultrasound image segmentation system is developed to improve the estimation of fetal weight (EFW). Four standardized fetal parameters are measured by the proposed segmentation system: biparietal diameter, head circumference, abdominal circumference and femur length. Computerized measurements of 215 fetuses are compared with manual measurements in term of fitness analysis and difference analysis. Among 215 cases, computerized measurements of 103 fetuses within 3 days of delivery are utilized in the fetal weight estimation. The EFW based on computerized measurements and manual measurements are compared by using regression analysis, artificial neural network and support vector regression. By using different estimation methods, the computerized measurements decrease the EFW errors about 40–70 g. The lowest mean absolute percentage error of EFW decrease from 6.71% for manual measurements to 4.66% for computerized measurements. The proposed fetal ultrasound image segmentation system can provide more accurate EFW in antepartum examination.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (No. 2006CB705707), Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 30570488), Shanghai Leading Academic Discipline Project (No. B112) and Postgraduate Innovation Fund of Fudan University (No. EYH1220001).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Electronic Engineering, Fudan University, 200433, Shanghai, China

    Jinhua Yu & Yuanyuan Wang

  2. Ultrasound Department, The First Maternity and Infant Health Hospital, 200433, Shanghai, China

    Ping Chen

Authors
  1. Jinhua Yu
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  2. Yuanyuan Wang
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  3. Ping Chen
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Correspondence to Yuanyuan Wang.

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Yu, J., Wang, Y. & Chen, P. Fetal ultrasound image segmentation system and its use in fetal weight estimation. Med Biol Eng Comput 46, 1227–1237 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11517-008-0407-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11517-008-0407-y

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