Artificial Intelligence plan to reduce harm to pregnant black women

Researchers are to use artificial intelligence (AI) in the hope of reducing risk to pregnant black women.

Loughborough University experts are to work with the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB) to identify patterns in its recent investigations.

Research has suggested black women are more than four times more likely to die in pregnancy or childbirth than white women in the UK.

The researchers plan to look at more than 600 of HSIB's recent investigations into adverse outcomes during pregnancy and birth.

The research team will develop a machine learning system capable of identifying factors, based on a set of codes, that contribute to harm during pregnancy and birth experienced by black families. These include biological factors, such as obesity or birth history; social and economic factors such as language barriers and unemployment; and the quality of care and communication with the mother.

It will look at how these elements interact with and influence each other, and help researchers design ways to improve the care of black mothers and babies.

Dr Patrick Waterson, from the university, who is helping to lead the project, said: "Ultimately, we believe the outcomes from our research have the potential to transform the NHS's ability to reduce maternal harm amongst mothers from black ethnic groups."

He added that in the longer term, the research could improve patient safety for all mothers.

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Source: BBC News, 17 November 2021