Article Contents
| Clin Exp Pediatr > Volume 68(9); 2025 |
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Funding
This work was supported by the Gyeongsang National University Fund for Professors on Sabbatical Leave 2024 (TP) and by the NIH R01NS129188 and U54HG01 2513 (SWK).
| Artificial intelligence (AI) | A branch of computer science that focuses on creating systems capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence, for example, understanding natural language, recognizing patterns, and making decisions. [68] |
| Machine learning (ML) | A subset of AI that involves developing algorithms and statistical models that enable computers to perform specific tasks without explicit instructions by learning from data. [69] There are different ML approaches (e.g., supervised and unsupervised learning) depending on whether the training data is labeled with correct answers. |
| Supervised learning | A machine learning paradigm where a model learns from a labeled dataset: each training example comes with an input and its correct output (label). During training, the model makes predictions, while an algorithm adjusts the model’s parameters to reduce errors between predictions and labels. Repeating this process, the model gradually learns to map inputs to their correct outputs. |
| Unsupervised learning | A machine learning approach that uses unlabeled data. The algorithm analyzes input data to find hidden structures or patterns without any explicit correct outputs. Common unsupervised learning tasks include clustering. Generative models are better suited for unsupervised task as they learn data structure and can create new examples, unlike discriminative models which require labels to distinguish between groups. |
| Reinforcement learning | A machine learning paradigm where an agent interacts with its environment and learns to make decisions through trial and error, guided by feedback (rewards or penalties). Unlike supervised learning, the agent learns from the consequences of its actions: receiving rewards for good choices and penalties for poor ones. Through iterations, the agent refines its decision-making policy. |
| Deep learning | One of the advanced approaches in machine learning that uses artificial neural networks with multiple layers to learn and extract highly complex features and patterns from raw input data. [7] The term “deep” refers to the many layers, which enable the network to learn high-level data representations. |
| Artificial neural networks (ANN) | A subset of machine learning models inspired by the structure of the human brain. They consist of interconnected layers of nodes (called “neurons”) - an input layer, one or more hidden layers, and an output layer. The network learns by adjusting weights assigned to each connection between nodes. [70] |
| Foundation models | A large-scale machine learning model trained on broad data that can be adapted for diverse downstream tasks. [71] These models typically contain billions of parameters and are pretrained on expansive datasets from diverse types of data. For language processing, these foundation models are known as large language models (LLMs), with most built on transformers. |
| Large language models (LLMs) | The foundation models specifically designed to analyze, generate, and manipulate human language. These models typically contain billions of parameters that should be learned from training data, requiring vast amounts of diverse text data. [72] generative pretrained transformers (GPT), Gemini, [73] Claude, [74] and LLaMA [75,76] are examples of LLMs. |
| Transformers | A type of neural network model that perform well at processing and learning relationships between long sequences of data, such as sentences and paragraphs, by focusing on different parts of the sequence to make predictions (the mechanism known as attention). [77] Unlike older models like recurrent neural networks, Transformers can analyze entire sentences at once, which makes them faster to train and better at understanding long-range context. They also handle larger datasets more efficiently and can retain context across long passages. The GPT is a foundation model built on the transformer architecture. |
| Explainability, interpretability, and explainable AI (XAI) | One of the major issues in large and complex AI models is the difficulty to understand how they work (interpretability) or why they made a specific output (explainability). In healthcare, it is particularly crucial to build trust in AI by allowing clinicians to verify that AI’s reasoning aligns with established medical knowledge and specific patient cases. Explainable AI (or XAI) aims to make the decision-making processes of complex AI models understandable to humans. [78] Chain-of-thought prompting is suggested to improve the explainability of LLMs by making them to generate intermediate reasoning steps, allowing humans to better understand how the conclusions are reached. [79] |
| Device/software name | Category | Technology domain | Intended purpose | Regulatory status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HeRO Infant ICU Monitor (MPSC) [35,80] | Prevention | Predictive analytics on vital signs (proprietary statistical/ML “heart rate characteristics” algorithm) | Monitors NICU patients’ heart rate variability in real time to generate a HeRO score that indicates risk of sepsis or clinical deterioration | FDA-cleared as Class II (Circa 2009) |
| Owlet Dream Sock [81] | Prevention | Wearable sensor with algorithmic monitoring (pulse oximetry analysis) | Continuous at-home surveillance of infant vital signs to help prevent SIDS/infant distress | FDA De Novo clearance (2023) |
| Empatica Embrace2 [37] | Prevention | Wearable ML-based physiological analysis (accelerometer/EDA) | Real-time seizure detection using accelerometer and electrodermal data | FDA 510(k) cleared as Class II (ages 6+); CE Mark for home or hospital use |
| Etiometry IVCO2 Index [82] | Prevention | ICU analytics software | Analyzes ventilator, vital signs, and lab data to detect risk of hypercapnia in critically ill infants/children | FDA 510(k) cleared (Class II)—first for pediatric ICU (2019), extended for neonates <2 kg (2023); CE Marked in EU |
| BoneXpert (Visiana) [83] | Diagnosis | Computer vision-based radiograph analysis | Automatically calculates pediatric bone age from hand x-rays | CE Mark (Class I medical software) in Europe; not FDA-cleared in US |
| Gleamer BoneView [84] | Diagnosis | Deep learning computer vision (fracture detection) | Flags possible fractures, dislocations, or lesions in trauma radiographs | FDA 510(k) cleared in 2023 for adult and pediatric fracture detection (age >2) |
| AZmed Rayvolve [85] | Diagnosis | Deep learning computer vision (fracture detection) | Automates x-ray fracture detection and highlights suspicious findings | CE Mark (Class IIa) under EU MDR (2021); FDA 510(k) in 2022 |
| Canvas Dx [86] | Diagnosis | Machine learning diagnostic algorithm (multisource data fusion) | Integrates parent surveys, clinician input, and short home videos to help diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder | FDA De Novo authorized (2021), Class II with special controls |
| Eko Murmur Analysis Software (EMAS) [87] | Diagnosis | Audio signal AI (digital stethoscope analyzed with ML algorithm) | Analyzes heart sounds (± ECG) to detect and classify heart murmurs | FDA 510(k) cleared in 2022; integrated under FDA’s “Electronic Stethoscope” category (Class II) |
| BrightHeart Prenatal Cardiac AI [88] | Diagnosis | Deep learning image analysis (obstetric ultrasound AI) | Examines prenatal ultrasound to identify fetal congenital heart defects | FDA 510(k) cleared (late 2024); CE Mark pending |
| PainChek Infant [89] | Diagnosis | Computer vision (facial expression analysis) | Utilizes facial microexpression recognition to infer infant pain level | CE Marked in EU; not FDA-cleared |
| Tandem Control-IQ [36] | Treatment | Predictive glucose control (insulin pump automation) | Adjusts insulin delivery continuously based on glucose trend predictions | FDA De Novo clearance (2019); classified as Class II |
| Akili EndeavorRx [90] | Treatment | Digital therapeutic (video game with adaptive cognitive training) | Prescription game-based therapy targeting children with ADHD | FDA De Novo authorization (2020); Class II digital therapeutic |
| Luminopia One [91] | Treatment | VR-based therapy (computer-vision–modified binocular content) | Delivers VR content to treat amblyopia in children by balancing visual input to each eye | FDA De Novo clearance (2021); Class II |
| Da Vinci Surgical System – AI enhancement | Treatment | Robotic surgical system with AI-driven automation | Uses AI-driven feedback, force sensing, and computer vision-assisted positioning for enhanced precision | FDA-cleared since 2000; AI features (e.g., force sensing) cleared via iterative 510(k) submissions |
| CergenX Ltd. [92] | Prognosis | AI-driven EEG analysis in neonates | Real-time screening for abnormal newborn brain activity to enable early interventions (antiseizure meds, therapeutic hypothermia, etc.) | FDA Breakthrough Device (2025), TAP fast-track program (not yet cleared) |
| i-ROP DL (ROP Prognosis) [93] | Prognosis | Deep learning analysis of retinal images | Detects and stages retinopathy of prematurity to prevent blindness in preterm infants | FDA Breakthrough Device (2020); under clinical validation, not yet marketed |
CE, Conformité Européenne; EDA, electrodermal activity; FDA, Food and Drug Administration; MDR, Medical Device Regulation; ML, machine learning; NICU, neonatal intensive care unit; TAP, Total Product Lifecycle Advisory Program; HeRO, heart rate observation; SIDS, sudden infant death syndrome; ICU, intensive care unit; US, United States; AI, artificial intelligence; ADHD, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; VR, virtual reality; EEG, electroencephalogram.