Fetal Distress

The Voluson Signature 20 and 18 ultrasound systems are designed expedite the exam process for medical professionals and generate a more comprehensive image of the issues affecting women's health GE HealthCare introduces Voluson Signature 20 and 18 ultrasound systems. (Credit: Jonathan Borba on Unsplash) GE HealthCare has introduced the artificial intelligence (AI)-enhanced Voluson Signature 20 and 18 ultrasound systems to advance health imaging in women. The Voluson Signature 20 and 18 systems also incorporate advanced instruments and an ergonomic design to expedite the examination process for medical professionals. They are designed to generate a more comprehensive image of the issues affecting women’s health. According to GE HealthCare, the ultrasound systems combine high-performance hardware and adaptable, scalable software to boost clinicians’ confidence in their diagnostic and treatment decisions. The AI-driven capabilities of the Voluson Signature 20 and 18 include a new ‘Hey Voluson’ feature that enables voice commands-based operations, thus saving time and keystrokes. The systems have the SonoLyst tool suite that uses AI for standard views of foetal anatomy, annotates it automatically, and measures where applicable. This could also slash the time required to conduct standard International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology (ISUOG) second-trimester exams by up to 40%. SonoPelvicFloor, which is another feature in the systems, automates plane alignment and measurements. This reduces keystrokes by up to 76%, while streamlining pelvic floor evaluations and expediting exams. In addition, Voluson Signature 20 and 18 include Fibroid Mapping that maps, measures, and categorises fibroids using AI to standardise and optimise fibroid documentation. Furthermore, the systems incorporate FetalHS which leverages AI to provide step-by-step guidance to help identify normal foetal heart anatomy. This is said to simplify and expedite foetal heart exams by up to 48%. Additionally, the new Voluson Signature systems may now be used with a flexible wireless workflow due to the cable-free Vscan Air CL wireless dual probe. The latest offerings expand GE HealthCare’s Voluson portfolio which is designed to deliver high picture quality, advanced clinical tools, and intelligent workflow for cost-effective care. GE HealthCare women’s health ultrasound general manager Gerald Seifriedsberger said: “Next-level image clarity can help clinicians detect foetal abnormalities and hard-to-spot gynaecological emergencies or conditions like endometriosis earlier, which can make a big difference in a patient’s treatment plan and overall health. “With proven time-saving AI-driven applications, and advanced automation features that simplify exams, we’re providing technology that can help enhance ease of use and provide clearer images – helping clinicians power through demanding workflows faster while delivering greater consistency and accuracy, ultimately helping deliver better health outcomes for women.”

Project will combat infant mortality rates and lessen fetal distress in East Africa TATU CITY, Kenya, March 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The governments of the United States, Finland and Canada are funding a sustainable, accessible and affordable medicinal oxygen manufacturing facility at Tatu City Special Economic Zone (SEZ), the 5,000-acre new city on Nairobi's doorstep. Hewatele, a medical oxygen producer in Kenya, has secured a USD 20 million funding package from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), Finnfund, Soros Economic Development Fund (SEDF), UBS Optimus Foundation and Grand Challenges Canada. Hewatele will use the debt and equity funds raised to finance the building of a cutting-edge Cryogenic Medical Liquid Oxygen Air Separation Unit plant at Tatu Industrial Park. Set to commence operations in late Q1 2025, the facility will be the first modern liquid oxygen manufacturing plant located in East Africa in the last 60 years and help fill the escalating demand for medical-grade liquid oxygen in healthcare facilities across Kenya, Uganda and Northern Tanzania. "Hewatele's investment, backed by the world's preeminent development finance institutions and foundations, represents a transformation of healthcare in Kenya and across East Africa," said David Karimi, Deputy Country Head, Kenya, at Rendeavour, the owner and developer of Tatu City. Dr Bernard Olayo, Founder of Hewatele, said: "This medical oxygen plant represents a significant leap in ensuring sustainable and affordable access to medicinal oxygen. The increased production capacity here at Tatu City will improve oxygen affordability, particularly for maternal and child healthcare, and enhance primary healthcare support." According to Kenya's Ministry of Health, demand for medical oxygen has increased significantly since the COVID pandemic, from 410 tons per month to 880 tons per month. As a result, Kenyan hospitals frequently experience unpredictable deliveries, higher prices, and expensive transportation costs for medical oxygen. Due to the high production costs, fragmented delivery and storage options, medicinal oxygen is typically eight to ten times more expensive in sub-Saharan Africa than it is in Europe and North America. Hewatele's facility will boost production of medical oxygen by least 20 tons per day, reducing the cost to its rural and urban healthcare customers by up to 30%. Improving access to oxygen and administering oxygen can reduce child mortality from pneumonia by 35% and lessen foetal distress and save lives when given to women during pregnancy. "The rise of the COVID pandemic made everyone around the world aware of the importance of oxygen supply," said Johanna Raehalme, Finnfund's Head of Origination in Africa. "We are happy to add yet another important investment in our healthcare portfolio and see that the increased awareness of oxygen will ensure market demand for Hewatele going forward." Georgia Levenson Keohane, CEO of SEDF, said: "As a catalytic social impact investor focused on direct impacts and longer-term, systemic change, SEDF sees the investment in Hewatele as an important commitment to strengthening Africa's rapidly expanding healthcare sector." Maya Ziswiler, CEO Optimus Foundation, said: "UBS Optimus Foundation invests in organizations that demonstrate clear impact and innovative and scalable business models. That's why we were early supporters of Hewatele, as we see the impact and value of their business model and are now pleased to make a longer-term commitment for them to reach even more undersupplied rural and urban communities in East Africa with affordable and life-saving medical oxygen." "With our first base in Western Kenya, our expansion to Tatu City will create 50 new direct full-time jobs and over 100 indirect jobs, stimulating the local economy. We are honoured to be part of the healthcare ecosystem in Kiambu County," added Dr Zulfiqar Wali, CEO of Hewatele. More than 75 local, regional and global businesses are operational or under development in Tatu City's business-friendly location, including CCI Global, Heineken, Dormans, Copia, Cooper K-Brands, Grit Real Estate Income Group, Twiga Foods, Freight Forwarders Solutions, ADvTECH, Friendship Group and Davis & Shirtliff. More than 3,000 homes and apartments are occupied or under construction, and 4,500 students study at Tatu City's schools. About Hewatele () Hewatele is a pioneering medical solutions provider committed to enhancing healthcare services in East Africa. With a focus on innovation and sustainability, Hewatele strives to address critical healthcare challenges and contribute to the well-being of communities. Hewatele, together with its affiliates CPHD (The Center for Public Health and Development) and Mediquip Global, provides all-around oxygen solutions to all needy patients. About Tatu City () Tatu City is a 5,000-acre new city on Nairobi's doorstep with homes, schools, businesses, a shopping district, medical clinic, nature areas and recreation for more than 250,000 residents and tens of thousands of day visitors. Tatu City's schools educate thousands of students daily, a range of homes suits all incomes and more than 75 businesses thrive in the country's first operational Special Economic Zone. Located 30 minutes from Westlands, Tatu City represents a new way of living and thinking for all Kenyans in a live, work and play environment that is free from traffic congestion and long-distance commuting. Tatu City is a development by Rendeavour, Africa's largest new city builder, with 30,000 acres of visionary projects in growth trajectories across Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Rendeavour is backed by American, New Zealand, British and Norwegian investors. SOURCE Tatu City SEZ

External heart rate monitoring, the most common method of monitoring the fetus, may leave signs of fetal hypoxia undetected if the maternal pulse rate is not simultaneously monitored. The risk is that the fetal heart rate is masked by the maternal pulse, with fetal distress going unnoticed. Cardiotocography (CTG) refers to the electronic recording of the fetal heart rate and uterine contractions. Fetal heart rate recorded through the mother's abdomen is the most commonly used fetal monitoring method during childbirth. Now, a research team from the University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital (HUS) has found that external fetal heart rate monitoring without simultaneous maternal pulse recording is associated with both an increased risk of neonatal encephalopathy and acidemia in fetal umbilical artery blood, i.e., critically low pH and base excess concentrations. Acidemia increases the need for newborn resuscitation and the length of intensive care. The study, published in the esteemed American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, analysed almost 214,000 spontaneous full-term births in HUS maternity hospitals between 2005 and 2023. The study included the largest CTG dataset ever published. The study demonstrated that a newborn monitored during labour with external fetal heart rate monitoring alone had a 1.6-fold risk of neonatal encephalopathy and a 2.3-fold risk of severe umbilical cord blood acidemia compared to those monitored with an internal electrode attached to the skin of the fetal head (internal monitoring) or by concurrent external fetal heart rate monitoring and maternal pulse recording. "Especially during the second stage of labour, when mothers tend to display increased heart rate while pushing, fetuses more commonly exhibit heart rate decelerations. Consequently, the fetal heart rate can be quite easily mixed with the maternal pulse, in which case abnormal fetal heart rate tracing, indicating fetal hypoxia, may go unnoticed by professionals," says Researcher Mikko Tarvonen, describing the challenges of external CTG monitoring. In the majority of the labours in the study (38%), solely external monitoring was used. Internal monitoring was the second most common method (33%), followed by external monitoring simultaneously with maternal pulse recording (29%). Years of safer practice at HUS The world's largest organisations of obstetricians and midwives recommend in their fetal monitoring guidelines that external fetal heart rate monitoring be used as the primary CTG registration method. However, the new study indicates that, without simultaneous maternal pulse recording, this method is a significant risk factor predisposing the fetus to labour-related hypoxia and its long-term neurological effects. "Based on our results, this tragedy can be effectively prevented by combining maternal pulse recording with fetal heart rate monitoring. This method allows professionals to be sure of whose heart rate they are monitoring," says Tarvonen. In 2019 HUS adopted a new protocol emphasising the necessity of recording maternal heart rate alongside fetal heart rate during childbirth. "Practices have long varied at Finnish maternity hospitals, but training and research evidence have resulted in a shift in attitudes and thus the increased use in recent years of maternal pulse monitoring," Tarvonen notes. The present study demonstrated that, based on the incidence of neonatal encephalopathy, external fetal heart rate monitoring combined with maternal heart rate recording is equally as safe as internal fetal monitoring. However, internal monitoring was the most accurate way of assessing fetal wellbeing. Its use was associated with the lowest incidence of hypoxia-related neonatal outcomes. The incidence of both neonatal encephalopathy and severe umbilical artery blood acidemia has decreased significantly in the HUS region during the study's 18-year follow-up period. "This trend is exceptional even by international standards," Tarvonen points out. Facts: Monitoring the wellbeing of the unborn child through cardiotocography (CTG)