ARPA-H Funds UC San Diego Team to Create Fetal Oxygen Monitor for Safer Childbirth

Engineers and physicians at the University of California San Diego have been awarded a prestigious grant from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) to create a point-of-care diagnostic test that can rapidly assess oxygen levels in a fetus during labor. The project, based in San Diego, aims to address one of the leading causes of birth complications: inadequate fetal oxygenation, which can lead to brain injury or stillbirth if not detected early.

The research team, composed of biomedical engineers and obstetric specialists, plans to develop a non-invasive sensor that would provide real-time, continuous monitoring of fetal oxygen saturation. Current methods rely on intermittent fetal heart rate monitoring or invasive scalp sampling, which can miss critical changes or pose risks.

The proposed device, anticipated to be about the size of a smartphone, would use near-infrared spectroscopy to measure oxygen levels through the mother's abdomen. The team expects to begin clinical trials within two years, with a goal of making the test widely available in hospitals and birthing centers across the country.

The award is part of a broader ARPA-H initiative to reduce maternal and infant mortality, particularly in underserved communities. Researchers emphasized that the technology could be especially impactful in rural areas where access to advanced obstetric care is limited.

The project also includes community engagement efforts to ensure the device meets the needs of diverse populations.