Learning how to Breath: Automatic Fetal Breathing Motion Identification and Quantification using MRI

Motivation: A baby's first breath is a critical step of birth. To prepare, the fetus practices with fetal breathing movements (FBM), essential for normal lung development. Goal(s): Currently, FBMs are measured with manual observation during ultrasound. We demonstrate the usage of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to automatically and objectively measure FBMs. Approach: We acquire 100 dynamic fetal scans throughout gestation using low-field MRI, and demonstrate FBMs by automatically segmenting the fetal lungs in a dynamic MRI scan and investigate changes in volume and mean T2*. Results: FBMs were detected in 37% of the scans, matching the expected occurrence rates. Impact: With further testing and validation, the automated detection of fetal breathing movements could become a useful and widespread clinical tool to quantify fetal pulmonary health.