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Wearable Ultrasound Patch Detects Fetal Distress, Saves Baby

5/26/2026

Summary

Story summary

UC San Diego scientists created the UPatch, a wearable ultrasound patch that monitors fetal heart rate and blood flow, tested in the US and UK.
In a clinical trial the patch detected prolonged abnormal fetal signals, prompting an early caesarean delivery that may have saved the baby.
The Nature Biotechnology study said continuous monitoring could reveal early warning signs of complications like pre-eclampsia and help prevent stillbirths in low-resource areas.

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Story summary

UC San Diego scientists created the UPatch, a wearable ultrasound patch that monitors fetal heart rate and blood flow, tested in the US and UK.
In a clinical trial the patch detected prolonged abnormal fetal signals, prompting an early caesarean delivery that may have saved the baby.
The Nature Biotechnology study said continuous monitoring could reveal early warning signs of complications like pre-eclampsia and help prevent stillbirths in low-resource areas.