New belly sensor could spot baby distress before birth
NCT ID NCT04876846
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested a new device that shines light through a pregnant woman's belly to measure oxygen levels in her unborn baby. Nine healthy women in late pregnancy took part. The goal was to see if the device could pick up a clear signal from the baby, which could lead to a safer way to monitor fetal health.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Trans-abdominal fetal pulse oximetry device
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could lead to a non-invasive way to monitor oxygen levels in unborn babies, helping detect distress early.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small, early study with only 9 participants. It is focused on measuring light scattering, not yet on clinical outcomes. The device may not work as expected in real-world settings.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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9 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Apr 2021
- Finished
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Nov 2025
- Lead sponsor
-
A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 years and older
- Sex
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Female participants only
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Women with singleton, healthy pregnancy at gestational age ≥ 36 weeks 2. Age \> 18 years 3. Willing to come in for testing outside of routine business hours (including Saturdays) Exclusion Criteria: 1. Age \<18 2. Multiple gestation (twins, triplets) 3. Presentation other than vertex or breech 4. \< 36 weeks of gestation
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Yaron Friedman, MD, Inc.
Walnut Creek, California, 94598, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.