Introduction

In an exciting development for infant healthcare, Singapore General Hospital (SGH), together with SingHealth Polyclinics and the national HealthTech agency Synapxe, has launched a groundbreaking smartphone application aimed at enabling parents to screen their newborns for neonatal jaundice from the comfort of their homes.

About the App BiliSG®

The app, dubbed BiliSG®, leverages advanced machine learning technology to analyze a newborn's skin color and predict bilirubin levels specifically for multi-ethnic Asian populations. With neonatal jaundice affecting approximately 60% of full-term and up to 80% of pre-term infants, this app is set to be a game-changer for new parents.

How It Works

Parents can easily capture images of their baby's forehead, chest, and abdomen using their smartphone camera. To ensure accuracy, a specially designed colour-calibration sticker is utilized alongside the images. The app's intelligent algorithms process these images, providing a quick and efficient assessment of bilirubin levels, a critical health parameter for newborns.

Validation and Future Plans

The team behind BiliSG® is actively working to validate the application across various smartphone operating systems, ensuring that it is accessible to a broad audience. Plans for a pilot study to evaluate clinical feasibility are also on the horizon, building confidence in the app's utility as a reliable screening tool.

Importance of Screening for Neonatal Jaundice

Neonatal jaundice, if left untreated, can lead to serious complications. This app addresses the frequent clinic visits traditionally necessary for screening during the crucial first few weeks of life, potentially reducing the risk of exposing vulnerable infants to airborne illnesses while streamlining the care process for parents.

Conclusion

This innovative approach not only enhances convenience for new parents but also signifies a significant leap forward in the integration of technology in healthcare, promising better health outcomes for newborns across Singapore and potentially beyond.

Stay Tuned

Stay tuned for further updates on BiliSG®—the future of infant healthcare is here!