Fetal Weight and Gender Estimation using Computer based Ultrasound Images Analysis

This paper proposes a fetal gender and weight estimation method using ultrasound images. Normally the gender and weight estimation is done by the physician through the observation only. The accuracy of the gender and weight estimation strongly dependent on the experiences of the physician as the images of ultrasound are not clear for those low cost two dimension (2D) ultrasound. In order to increase the accuracy of the gender and weight estimation during the fetal scanning process, a method has been developed by using thresholding and canny segmentation. The percentage of white level in the processed image is calculated to classify the gender of the fetus. Canny edge detection is used for segmentation, and then parameters such as femur length (FL), biparietal diameter (BPD) and abdominal circumference (AC) have been measured to estimate the fetal weight. The results shows that the percentage value equal or larger than 46% will be considered as a male fetus. While images with the percentage of white level less than 46%, the fetus will be classified as a female. Then, fetal weight is calculated based on the parameters measurement obtained through original fetal ultrasound images and segmented fetal ultrasound images, then both methods have been compared and the difference is 40 grams. The method can be further developed and applied in the low cost two dimension ultrasound machine to improve the accuracy of gender identification and reduce the human error during the scanning process. Keywords—Fetal Gender, Fetal Weight, Thresholding, Ultrasound, Intensity, Segmentation, Edge Detection