Technology of auscultatory data analysis obtained in a non-invasive home examination of the fetal heart rate in the prevention of prenatal diseases and defects

Abstract

According to estimates, there are approximately 2.6 million miscarriages worldwide each year, 1.3 million of which can be effectively prevented. This was confirmed by The Lancet, publishing data on nearly 3 million miscarriages worldwide each year. The key fact is that 98% of miscarriages occur in low- and middle-income countries where professional fetal health care is not as good as in high-income countries, is difficult to access, or even absent. In high-income countries, the number of miscarriages is also relatively high, amounting to approximately 60,000 cases per year. Importantly, most cases related to miscarriages and other complications during pregnancy and childbirth could have been avoided if the staff operating such complex devices as professional CTGs were better trained. Nevertheless, as recent studies show, there is no evidence that the complex and advanced, and therefore difficult and expensive to apply CTG methodology gives better results than the non-invasive auscultation method in the case of cerebral palsy or stillbirths or the overall assessment of the health of the fetus in women who are at low risk of prenatal disease and complications. However, as shown by scientific research, the CTG method caused an increase in unnecessary cesarean sections and instrumental vaginal deliveries. The Goldcitadel team has developed a technology for the analysis of auscultatory data obtained in a non-invasive home examination of the fetal heart rate in the prevention of prenatal diseases and defects, which will enable the introduction of inexpensive devices and cloud services allowing for early warning of potential abnormalities in the heart development in the prenatal period. Currently, there are no similar technologies or related products or services in the world.