Characterization of Fetal Lung With Quantitative Ultrasound

Summary

The purpose of the study is to show if it's possible to use a special kind of ultrasound called backscatter quantitative ultrasound (bQUS) to check on a baby's lungs when the mother is 36 weeks pregnant. 16 participants will be on study for a single 30 minute ultrasound between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy.

Detailed Description

Primary Objective: * Demonstrate the feasibility of performing bQUS analysis on ultrasound echo signals acquired of the fetal lung acquired with clinical ultrasound scanners during third -trimester ultrasound scans Secondary Objectives: * Design and implement a protocol to acquire non-processed (raw) echo signals from a commercial ultrasound scanner necessary to perform bQUS at the UPH-Meriter Center for Perinatal Care (CPC). * Quantify the populational variance of quantitative features extracted from bQUS applied to ultrasound data collected from third trimester ultrasound scans of the fetal lung. The study will be divided into two phases: (i) feasibility phase and (2) hypothesis-testing phase recruitment phase. Phase 1 will provide evidence of the technical viability of data acquisition at UPH-Meriter CPC and will involve 5 participants. Technical challenges will be discussed with the research team and the supporting vendor (GE) to decide whether the technique is viable to move forward. In case the decision is favorable, recruitment will continue to complete 16 participants to estimate the populational variance of the quantitative features. If the decision is not favorable due to technical complications, the study will be terminated.

Eligibility Criteria

Interventions