A Review of Artificial Intelligence-Based Down Syndrome Detection Techniques
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Review Methodology
2.1. Research Questions
2.2. Search Strategy
2.3. Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria
2.4. Screening and Selection Process
2.5. Data Extraction and Critical Appraisal
3. Results
3.1. Data and Technologies with Their Performance
3.1.1. Facial Images
3.1.2. Ultrasound Scans
3.1.3. Genetics Data
3.1.4. Other Data Types
3.1.5. Classified Findings of Reviewed Studies
3.1.6. Challenges Faced by AI-Powered DS Diagnostic Models
3.2. Strategies for Reducing Biases and Improving Generalizability
4. Discussions
5. Conclusions
Funding
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Age Group | Phenotype Features | Common Health Comorbidities |
---|---|---|
Childhood (0–12 years) | Intellectual disability, delayed motor development, and hypotonia | Congenital heart disease, hearing loss, and gastrointestinal disorders |
Young adulthood (13–35 years) | Short stature, mild to moderate intellectual impairment, and speech difficulties | Obesity, obstructive sleep apnea, and early-onset Alzheimer’s |
Late adulthood (36+ years) | Premature aging, cognitive decline, and osteoporosis | High risk of Alzheimer’s disease and increased cardiac issues |
Inclusion Criteria | Exclusion Criteria |
---|---|
Peer-reviewed studies evaluating AI-based DS diagnostic approaches | Studies focused solely on non-AI diagnostic approaches |
Studies encompass medical imaging and genetic data analysis using ML tools and techniques | Articles lacking quantitative metrics |
Research addressing AI implementation into clinical workflows | Non-peer-reviewed studies |
Studies presenting quantitative outcomes | Non-English studies and research with incomplete data |
Article published in English |
Authors | Dataset | Method | Performance | Strengths | Limitations |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Zhao et al. (2013) [26] | 100 frontal facial images; ethnicity: not specified; and location: not specified | SVM, Linear SVM, K-NN, and RF | Accuracy = 94.6%, sensitivity = 95.5%, and specificity = 92.5% | Non-invasive methodology and innovative feature extraction | Limited dataset, non-standardized conditions, and limited validation |
Zhao et al. (2014) [27] | 130 frontal facial images; ethnicity: Caucasian, African, and Asian; and location: National Medical Center, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | SVM, Linear SVM, RF, and linear discriminant analysis | Accuracy = 96.7%, sensitivity = 93.3%, specificity = 92.8%, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) = 0.996 | Comprehensive feature set, diverse dataset, and validation across classifiers | Computational complexities, limited focus on real-world testing, and image variability |
Mittal et al. (2020) [28] | 1706 images; ethnicity: multinational; and location: not specified | AlexNet with SVM | Accuracy = 98.5%, sensitivity = 96.2%, and specificity= 95.7% | Advanced feature extraction, scenario analysis, and focus on regional features | Gender-based variance, dependency on pre-trained models, and limited dataset |
Pooch et al. (2020) [29] | 170 images; ethnicity: Brazilian; and location: Rio Grande, Brazil | Inception-ResNet-V2 and Linear SVM | Accuracy = 94.0%, sensitivity = 95.0%, and specificity = 92.0% | Scalability potential and framework comparisons | Lack of a public dataset, non-standardized image acquisition, and relatively small dataset |
Qin et al. (2020) [30] | 405 images; ethnicity: Chinese; and location: China | Deep CNNs, SVM, and K-NN | Accuracy = 95.87%, sensitivity = 93.18, and specificity = 97.40% | Advanced deep CNN, effective use of transfer learning, and robust preprocessing | Dataset bias, limited clinical validation, and lack of model’s interpretability |
Geremek and Szklanny (2021) [31] | 2101 images; ethnicity: European; and location: Poland | Arcface, Deepface, FaceNet, other pre-trained CNNs, and SVM | Accuracy = 96%, sensitivity = 94.9%, and specificity = 92.1% | Generative capability and compatibility with mobile platforms | The limited scope of geometric analysis and demographic bias |
Porras et al. (2021) [32] | 1400 images; ethnicity: multinational; and location: not specified | Three neural networks models for DS risk identification | Accuracy = 88%, sensitivity = 90%, and specificity = 86% | Robust model, supports generalizability, and use of three distinct models | Limited validation and dependence on phenotypic features |
Wang et al. (2022) [33] | 490,000 images of 10,000 different individuals; ethnicity: Chinese; and location: China | ResNet 64 with squeeze-and-excitation block | Accuracy = 93.5%, sensitivity = 87.0%, and specificity = 83.2% | Cross-loss training and robust preprocessing approach | High resource requirements and demographic biases |
Islam and Shaikh (2024) [34] | 408 images; ethnicity: multinational; and location: multiple locations | CNNs with an improved attention mechanism | Accuracy = 95.4%, sensitivity = 88.1%, and specificity = 86.2% | Integrated attention mechanism and robust data preprocessing | Limited generalizability and high computational demands |
Raza et al. (2024) [35] | 3009 images; ethnicity: Middle Eastern; and location: Saudi Arabia | VGG16 and light gradient boosting machine | Accuracy = 99.0%, sensitivity = 92.3%, and specificity = 91.5% | Highly effective ensemble approach and effective feature extraction | Dependence on pre-trained model may reduce the model’s performance |
Authors | Dataset | Method | Performance | Strengths | Limitations |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Yekdast (2019) [36] | 300 images; mother’s age range: 28–35 years; ethnicity: Iranian; and location: Iran | CNN, PSO, and multi-layer perceptron-based classification | Accuracy = 99.38%, sensitivity = 92.1%, and specificity = 94.3% | PSO-based hyperparameter tuning and adaptation to diverse medical imaging data | Single dataset source and requirement of substantial computational resources |
Zhang et al. (2021) [37] | 4953 images; mother’s age range: 19–35 years; ethnicity: Chinese; and location: Jilin University, China | SVM and AdaBoost classification | Accuracy = 100%, sensitivity = 91.5%, and specificity = 94.3% | Integration of CART and AdaBoost and exploration of T21 risk cutoff thresholds | Reliance on serum markers and large computational resources requirements |
Thomas and Arjunan (2022) [38] | 100 images; mother’s age range: 19–31 years; ethnicity: Indian; and location: India | VGG-16 and AlexNet-based feature classification | Accuracy = 91.7%, sensitivity = 85.7%, and specificity = 100% | Speckle noise reduction approach and fine-tuned AlexNet-based feature classification | Small dataset and requirement of extensive preprocessing |
Zhang et al. (2022) [39] | 822 images; mother’s age range: 19–35 years; ethnicity: Chinese; and location: China | A shallow CNN with dropout layers | Accuracy = 90.5, sensitivity = 92.5%, and specificity = 90.6% | Robust data augmentation and visualization techniques | Reliance of image quality and limited dataset size |
Tang et al. (2023) [40] | 1120 images; mother’s age range: 19–35 years; ethnicity: multinational; and location: multiple locations | ResNet-18 with Grad-CAM heatmap technology | Accuracy = 93.0%, sensitivity = 89.0%, and specificity = 96.0% | Identification of key biomarkers using Grad-CAM heatmap visualization, a technique in TorchCAM 0.3. | Lack of external validation and quality of images may influence the model’s performance |
Mavaluru et al. (2024) [41] | 1075 images; mother’s age range: 28–35 years; ethnicity: Indian; and location: India | Feature extraction and segmentation approaches with SVM | Accuracy = 98.2%, sensitivity = 90.7%, and specificity = 92.8% | Integration of fuzzy gradient vector flow and wavelet-based segmentation | Limited generalization and segmentation challenges |
Reshi et al. (2024) [42] | 1120 images; mother’s age range: 28–35 years; ethnicity: Middle Eastern; and location: Saudi Arabia | CNN with dropout layers | Accuracy = 94.5%, sensitivity = 91.8%, and specificity = 94.2% | Focus on early pregnancy and comprehensive framework | High computational requirements |
Authors | Dataset | Method | Performance | Strengths | Limitations |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Feng et al. (2017) [43] | 378 samples (only 63 DS samples); ethnicity: Chinese; and location: China | Customized CNN model based on genotyping array | Accuracy = 99.3%, sensitivity = 91.5%, and specificity = 88.6% | Dual-branch CNN design for visualizing feature maps | Relatively small sample size, limiting the model’s generalizability |
He et al. (2021) [44] | 86,142 individuals’ data; ethnicity: Chinese; and location: China | RF and SVM model | Internal validation: accuracy = 66.7%, sensitivity = 59.8%, and specificity = 61.3%; external validation: accuracy = 85.2%, sensitivity = 72.6%, and specificity = 73.8% | High predictive performance and robust generalization | Population specificity and data imbalance |
Goh et al. (2023) [45] | 742,750 SNP markers and 138 copy number variation (CNV)-related chromosomal disorders; ethnicity: Korean; and location: Seoul, South Korea | K-means clustering and K-neural networks | Accuracy = 100%, sensitivity = 95.8%, and specificity = 97.6% | Robust validation and enhanced CNN detection | Limited detection scope and dependence on genomic wave mitigation |
Baldo et al. (2023) [46] | 106 individuals; ethnicity: Italian; and location: Italy | RF and gradient boosting model (GBM)-based classification | Accuracy = 67%, sensitivity = 61.4%, and specificity = 60.7% | Innovative preprocessing, feature importance analysis, and robust classification model | Complexity of data inter-relationships and bias in age-related variables |
Do et al. (2024) [47] | 1035 individuals; ethnicity: Vietnamese; and location: Vietnam | RF and GBM-based classification | Accuracy = 90%, sensitivity = 83.2%, and specificity = 81.5% | Integration of multi-modality data and adaptations to diverse populations | High computational resources and dependence on data quality |
Authors | Dataset | Method | Performance | Strengths | Limitations |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Li et al. (2019) [48] | 100,252 features; ethnicity: Chinese; and location: China | Isolation forest model for detecting anomalies and refining predictions | Accuracy = 95.1%, specificity = 93.2%, and sensitivity = 95.0% | Efficient data imbalance handling and comprehensive feature selection approaches | Heavily relies on biochemical and ultrasound markers |
Mal’e et al. (2024) [49] | Brain MRI scans, a total of 2113 images from multiple repositories, were used to train the model; ethnicity: Spanish; and location: Spain | Variational autoencoders and diffusion models were used to determine the subtle variations in MRI scans | Accuracy = 96.1%, specificity = 97.1%, and sensitivity = 93.0% | Biomarker discovery and quantitative volumetric analyses of subcortical structures | Relying on mid-sagittal 2D MRI scans may overlook critical spatial information |
Galindo-Lopez et al. (2024) [50] | 12 parent–child interaction video recordings; ethnicity: Mexican; and location: Mexico | CNN–LSTM model | Physical approach: accuracy = 92.1%, specificity = 90.1%, and sensitivity = 91.1%; verbal expression: accuracy = 90.96%, specificity = 88.1%, and sensitivity = 86.2% | Innovative hybrid architecture and high accuracy in capturing physical activities | Imbalanced datasets, camera perspective dependence, and verbal expression challenges |
Data Type | Sensitivity | Specificity | Accuracy | Risk Level |
---|---|---|---|---|
First-trimester ultrasound images | 85–92% | 94–100% | 90–100% | Low |
Second-trimester ultrasound images | Low | |||
Genetics data | 61–96% | 60–97% | 66–99% | Moderate |
Facial images | 87–96% | 83–97% | 88–99% | Low |
Other | 86–95% | 86–97% | 90–96% | Moderate |
Research Gaps | Future Research Directions |
---|---|
Limited demographic diversity, leading to biases in model predictions | The multinational dataset contains increased dataset representation across different ethnicities |
Reduced model’s sensitivity and specificity in real-world clinical applications | Developing domain adaptation techniques and conducting multi-center external validations |
Focused on single modality [facial images, ultrasound scans, or genetics data] | Building multimodality-based AI models, improving diagnostic accuracy and robustness |
Requirement of significant computational resources, limiting deployment in resource-constrained healthcare settings | Exploring lightweight architectures for implementing cloud-based AI solutions |
Lack of decision-making explanations | Integration of explainable AI techniques to enhance transparency |
Different studies used varied evaluation metrics | Establishing standardized benchmarks and reporting guidelines |
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Shaikh, M.A.; Al-Rawashdeh, H.S.; Sait, A.R.W. A Review of Artificial Intelligence-Based Down Syndrome Detection Techniques. Life 2025, 15, 390. https://doi.org/10.3390/life15030390
Shaikh MA, Al-Rawashdeh HS, Sait ARW. A Review of Artificial Intelligence-Based Down Syndrome Detection Techniques. Life. 2025; 15(3):390. https://doi.org/10.3390/life15030390
Chicago/Turabian StyleShaikh, Mujeeb Ahmed, Hazim Saleh Al-Rawashdeh, and Abdul Rahaman Wahab Sait. 2025. "A Review of Artificial Intelligence-Based Down Syndrome Detection Techniques" Life 15, no. 3: 390. https://doi.org/10.3390/life15030390
APA StyleShaikh, M. A., Al-Rawashdeh, H. S., & Sait, A. R. W. (2025). A Review of Artificial Intelligence-Based Down Syndrome Detection Techniques. Life, 15(3), 390. https://doi.org/10.3390/life15030390