# Deep Learning Fetal Ultrasound Video Model Match Human Observers in Biometric Measurements

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2205.13835 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2205.13835/

## Key facts

- Cited by 3 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 20 of its 57 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 27 May 2022.

## Builds on (most cited first, 20 of 20)

- [PyTorch: An Imperative Style, High-Performance Deep Learning Library](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1912.01703/) (2019)
- [U-Net: Convolutional Networks for Biomedical Image Segmentation](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1505.04597/) (2015)
- [Fully Convolutional Networks for Semantic Segmentation](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1411.4038/) (2014)
- [Rethinking Atrous Convolution for Semantic Image Segmentation](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1706.05587/) (2017)
- [Convolutional LSTM Network: A Machine Learning Approach for Precipitation Nowcasting](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1506.04214/) (2015)
- [CheXpert: A Large Chest Radiograph Dataset with Uncertainty Labels and Expert Comparison](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1901.07031/) (2019)
- [Cascaded Pyramid Network for Multi-Person Pose Estimation](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1711.07319/) (2017)
- [Attention Gated Networks: Learning to Leverage Salient Regions in Medical Images](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1808.08114/) (2018)
- [Multi-scale self-guided attention for medical image segmentation](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1906.02849/) (2019)
- [SonoNet: Real-Time Detection and Localisation of Fetal Standard Scan Planes in Freehand Ultrasound](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1612.05601/) (2016)
- [Y-Net: Joint Segmentation and Classification for Diagnosis of Breast Biopsy Images](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1806.01313/) (2018)
- [Accurate Pulmonary Nodule Detection in Computed Tomography Images Using Deep Convolutional Neural Networks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1706.04303/) (2017)
- [3D Context Enhanced Region-based Convolutional Neural Network for End-to-End Lesion Detection](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1806.09648/) (2018)
- [Human-level Performance On Automatic Head Biometrics In Fetal Ultrasound Using Fully Convolutional Neural Networks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1804.09102/) (2018)
- [Simultaneous Segmentation and Classification of Bone Surfaces from Ultrasound Using a Multi-feature Guided CNN](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1806.09766/) (2018)
- [AutoFB: Automating Fetal Biometry Estimation from Standard Ultrasound Planes](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2107.05255/) (2021)
- [FetalNet: Multi-task Deep Learning Framework for Fetal Ultrasound Biometric Measurements](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2107.06943/) (2021)
- [Confident Head Circumference Measurement from Ultrasound with Real-time Feedback for Sonographers](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1908.02582/) (2019)
- [Attaining human-level performance with atlas location autocontext for anatomical landmark detection in 3D CT data](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1805.08687/) (2018)
- [A multi-level convolutional LSTM model for the segmentation of left ventricle myocardium in infarcted porcine cine MR images](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1811.06051/) (2018)

## Built on by (most cited first, 3 of 3)

- [Accurate and Efficient Fetal Birth Weight Estimation from 3D Ultrasound](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2507.00398/) (2025)
- [Beyond Benchmarks of IUGC: Rethinking Requirements of Deep Learning Methods for Intrapartum Ultrasound Biometry from Fetal Ultrasound Videos](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2602.12922/) (2026)
- [Measuring proximity to standard planes during fetal brain ultrasound scanning](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2404.07124/) (2024)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Objective. This work investigates the use of deep convolutional neural networks (CNN) to automatically perform measurements of fetal body parts, including head circumference, biparietal diameter, abdominal circumference and femur length, and to estimate gestational age and fetal weight using fetal ultrasound videos. Approach. We developed a novel multi-task CNN-based spatio-temporal fetal US feature extraction and standard plane detection algorithm (called FUVAI) and evaluated the method on 50 freehand fetal US video scans. We compared FUVAI fetal biometric measurements with measurements made by five experienced sonographers at two time points separated by at least two weeks. Intra- and inter-observer variabilities were estimated. Main results. We found that automated fetal biometric measurements obtained by FUVAI were comparable to the measurements performed by experienced sonographers The observed differences in measurement values were within the range of inter- and intra-observer variability. Moreover, analysis has shown that these differences were not statistically significant when comparing any individual medical expert to our model. Significance. We argue that FUVAI has the potential to assist sonographers who perform fetal biometric measurements in clinical settings by providing them with suggestions regarding the best measuring frames, along with automated measurements. Moreover, FUVAI is able perform these tasks in just a few seconds, which is a huge difference compared to the average of six minutes taken by sonographers. This is significant, given the shortage of medical experts capable of interpreting fetal ultrasound images in numerous countries.
