A groundbreaking new AI model has been developed by researchers to accurately identify the risk of adverse outcomes for pregnant women with pre-eclampsia, a serious blood pressure condition. The model, known as PIERS-ML (Pre-eclampsia Integrated Estimate of Risk – Machine Learning), can classify women’s risk in five different categories within just two days of their initial assessment. This model has the potential to be a lifesaving tool for women at risk of maternal morbidity and mortality due to pre-eclampsia.
Pre-eclampsia affects between 2 to 4 percent of pregnancies globally and is a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. This condition results in thousands of maternal deaths and newborn deaths each year, primarily in low- and middle-income countries. While most women with pre-eclampsia have mild symptoms that resolve after giving birth, some may experience life-threatening complications such as stroke.
The researchers behind this innovative model, from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow and King’s College London, are now working on developing an app that can assess an individual woman’s risk of adverse outcomes after a pre-eclampsia diagnosis. By harnessing the power of Machine Learning, this model aims to provide fast and precise predictions that can be tailored to women’s specific circumstances worldwide.
The principal investigator of this project, Professor Peter von Dadelszen from King’s College London, emphasized the importance of this new model in assessing the risks associated with pre-eclampsia. By incorporating data from different countries’ GDPs and national maternal mortality ratios, the model adjusts according to a woman’s location, making it globally relevant and adaptable to various settings.
The study involved over 8,800 women from 11 countries across different income levels, further validating the model’s performance with an additional 2,901 women from South-East England. This research has paved the way for a more generalizable and effective risk-prediction model for pre-eclampsia, offering hope for improved maternal and newborn outcomes worldwide.
