Can a smart ring help doctors detect the risk of premature birth earlier in Abu Dhabi?

Abu Dhabi has launched Project Cradle, a 24-month study by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) and health technology company Oura, to investigate whether a smart ring can identify early warning signs of premature birth. Researchers will monitor women with elevated-risk pregnancies using the Oura Ring, which tracks heart rate, heart rate variability, sleep and physical activity, and compare the data with clinical and genomic records. The study will initially involve Corniche Hospital and Mediclinic Airport Road, with recruitment expected to begin in the coming weeks. Premature birth, defined as delivery before 37 weeks of pregnancy, affects around one in 10 births worldwide. The research will explore whether physiological changes can reliably signal labour early enough for doctors to intervene. Results are expected in 2028, and any wider clinical use will depend on the findings and regulatory approval.