Bilirubin estimation using non-invasive optical diagnostic technique

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Neonatal Medicine
• Spectrophotometry

Background:

• Jaundice affects 70% of newborns, posing risks of hearing impairment and intellectual disabilities.
• Early jaundice detection is crucial but challenging with current invasive methods.
• Bilirubin measurement is key for managing neonatal jaundice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a reflectance-based, non-invasive method for measuring bilirubin levels.
• To identify optimal wavelengths for bilirubin detection using spectrophotometry.
• To compare the accuracy of the developed method against established clinical standards.

Main Methods:

• Spectrophotometric tests were used for wavelength selection on a sensing system.
• A prototype device was tested on 18 bilirubin-laced skin-mock samples and 6 human subjects.
• Results were compared with radiometer and clinical auto-analyzer values.

Main Results:

• Optimal wavelengths for increased and normal bilirubin serum were identified as 460±5 nm and 420±5 nm, respectively.
• The developed method showed a high correlation (r=0.9808) with clinical auto-analyzer values.
• The prototype successfully detected bilirubin levels, demonstrating accuracy and reliability.

Conclusions:

• A reflectance-based method provides an accurate, non-invasive alternative for bilirubin measurement.
• The identified wavelengths are crucial for future spectrophotometric-based jaundice detection systems.
• The developed prototype shows significant potential for point-of-care applications in resource-limited settings.