Engan et al. BMC Digital Health (2023) 1:10
https://doi.org/10.1186/s44247-023-00010-7
STUDY PROTOCOL
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Open Access
BMC Digital Health
Newborn Time - improved newborn care
based on video and artifcial intelligence - study
protocol
Kjersti Engan
1*
, Øyvind Meinich-Bache
1,2
, Sara Brunner
2
, Helge Myklebust
2
, Chunming Rong
1,3
,
Jorge García-Torres
1
, Hege L. Ersdal
4,5
, Anders Johannessen
2
, Hanne Markhus Pike
6
and Siren Rettedal
4,6
Abstract
Background Approximately 3-8% of all newborns do not breathe spontaneously at birth, and require time critical
resuscitation. Resuscitation guidelines are mostly based on best practice, and more research on newborn resucitation
is highly sought for.
Methods The NewbornTime project will develop artificial intelligence (AI) based solutions for activity recognition
during newborn resuscitations based on both visible light spectrum videos and infrared spectrum (thermal) videos.
In addition, time-of-birth detection will be developed using thermal videos from the delivery rooms. Deep Neural
Network models will be developed, focusing on methods for limited supervision and solutions adapting to on-site
environments. A timeline description of the video analysis output enables objective analysis of resuscitation events.
The project further aims to use machine learning to find patterns in large amount of such timeline data to better
understand how newborn resuscitation treatment is given and how it can be improved. The automatic video analysis
and timeline generation will be developed for on-site usage, allowing for data-driven simulation and clinical debrief
for health-care providers, and paving the way for automated real-time feedback. This brings added value to the medi-
cal staff, mothers and newborns, and society at large.
Discussion The project is a interdisciplinary collaboration, combining AI, image processing, blockchain and cloud
technology, with medical expertise, which will lead to increased competences and capacities in these various fields.
Trial registration ISRCTNregistry, number ISRCTN12236970
Keywords Newborn resuscitation, Artificial intelligence, Video, Thermal video, Timeline
*Correspondence:
Kjersti Engan
kjersti.engan@uis.no
1
Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University
of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway
2
Laerdal Medical AS, Stavanger, Norway
3
BitYoga, Stavanger, Norway
4
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway
5
Department of Anaesthesia, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger,
Norway
6
Department of Pediatrics, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger,
Norway