Development of Non-Invasive Bilirubin Level Detector for Neonatal Jaundice in Rural Area

Abstract

Neonatal jaundice is frequently seen in newborns and is caused by the elevated bilirubin levels due to the liver's underdevelopment and increased red blood cell breakdown. Left untreated, it can impair the central nervous system's development. Nowadays, clinicians use a transcutaneous bilimeter (TcB) or a total serum bilirubin (TSB) test to determine the bilirubin levels. The gold standard tool for measurement is the TSB, but the blood test can be expensive, time-consuming, and associated with pain and infection hazards. TcB enables non-invasive bilirubin measurement. However, it costs hundreds of dollars. Rural health clinics, especially those constructed more than 50 years ago, lacked healthcare technology. As a result, neither method is available in most rural clinics. Therefore, developing a non-invasive bilirubin level detector for neonatal jaundice in rural areas is crucial. This research proposes a cost-effective, non-invasive bilirubin detector tailored for rural areas. The device, built on an Arduino-based system, uses a blue LED and photodiode setup for bilirubin detection and a MAX30100 sensor module for oxygen saturation (SpO2) and heart rate (HR) monitoring. Experimental results confirm the device's accuracy in measuring bilirubin levels and monitoring SpO2 and HR within normal ranges. With its standalone functionality and user-friendly design, the device ensures reliable monitoring without requiring Internet access. This innovation provides an affordable solution for diagnosing and monitoring neonatal jaundice in resource-limited settings.