Evidence Hub

Roles and applications of artificial intelligence in fetal and placental MRI: a literature review

Ding D, Zhu F, Tang X, Ding Z

BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 2026

Abstract

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) has been increasingly integrated with fetal and placental magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to enhance the detection of abnormalities and streamline diagnostic processes. MRI, known for its superior soft tissue contrast and multiplanar imaging capabilities, is a critical tool for evaluating complex fetal and placental conditions. However, the large volume of MRI data often poses challenges for clinicians in providing timely and accurate diagnoses. Fetal and placental MRI are subject to several inherent limitations, including fetal motion artifacts, low signal-to-noise ratio, and operator-dependent variability, which can reduce image quality and hinder accurate diagnosis. Artificial intelligence has shown significant potential in addressing these challenges. For example, AI-based methods have been applied to motion artifact reduction, automated organ segmentation, and disease classification. In addition, recent studies have demonstrated that AI can reduce MRI scan times by up to 60% without compromising image quality, thereby improving diagnostic accuracy and workflow efficiency.

Methods: A systematic PubMed search was conducted on January 16, and May 20, 2024, using predefined terms related to fetal and placental MRI and AI. Peer-reviewed English studies were included, while irrelevant articles, reviews, and editorials were excluded. Disagreements during the review process were resolved by a third reviewer.

Results: After systematic…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a systematic review, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid.

How the five levels of evidence work. The level is assigned automatically from the abstract and can be wrong, so check the paper.

Read the paper

Related studies

Go deeper in Evidence Hub

Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.

Open this study Sign up free