Las Vegas, NV – A novel artificial intelligence (AI) model accurately detected the presence of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS), a dangerous pregnancy condition that often goes undetected with current screening methods, according to new research presented today at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) 2026 Pregnancy Meeting™ . PAS is a leading cause of maternal mortality and morbidity, but only half of all cases are diagnosed during pregnancy, researchers say.
PAS is a life-threatening pregnancy complication in which the placenta abnormally attaches to the uterine wall, often associated with prior uterine surgical procedures such as cesarean delivery. The incidence of PAS is increasing in the U.S. An underdiagnosed condition before delivery, placenta accreta can result in massive maternal hemorrhage, multisystem organ failure, and death. Pregnancies at high risk for PAS are typically screened based on risk factors and ultrasounds to help identify and prepare for the problem before delivery occurs, but many factors can lead to inconclusive findings or a misdiagnosis.
"Our team is very excited about the potential clinical implications of this model for accurate and timely diagnosis of PAS," said researcher Alexandra L. Hammerquist, MD, a maternal-fetal medicine fellow at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX. "We are hopeful that its use as a screening tool will help decrease PAS-related maternal morbidity and mortality."
Using an innovative AI program, researchers from Baylor College of Medicine retrospectively reviewed the 2D obstetric ultrasound images from 113 patients at risk for PAS who gave birth at Texas Children's Hospital between 2018 – 2025. The mean gestational age at the time of maternal ultrasound was 30.89 +3.67 weeks.
Based on a retrospective review of the 2D ultrasound images from the 113 patients, the researchers found that their AI model accurately detected the presence of all cases of PAS. There were two (2) false positives but no false negative reports of placenta accreta.
Oral abstract #39 "AI-based ultrasound screening for early, accurate identification of placenta accreta spectrum" will be published in the February 2026 issue of PREGNANCY, the official peer-reviewed medical journal of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine.
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About SMFM
The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM), founded in 1977, is the medical professional society for obstetricians who have additional training in high-risk, complicated pregnancies. SMFM represents more than 6,500 members who care for high-risk pregnant people and provides education, promotes research, and engages in advocacy to reduce disparities and optimize the health of high-risk pregnant people and their families. SMFM and its members are dedicated to optimizing maternal and fetal outcomes and assuring medically appropriate treatment options are available to all patients. Follow #SMFM26 for the latest 2026 Pregnancy Meeting™ news.
