Non-invasive biomedical system for the quantification of bilirubin in neonates

Neonatal jaundice is a condition in new born babies, where a high level of bilirubin is present in the blood. This condition is known as hyperbilirubinemia. Bilirubin, which results from the breakdown of hemoglobin, is processed in the liver. In a significant number of cases, due to the slow development of the liver organ, a condition of excess bilirubin production occurs in the neonates. Therefore, careful attention to bilirubin levels in neonates is required to prevent serious complications. It is estimated, that about 50% of newborns have an episode of jaundice in the first few days. Approximately, 6% of them may develop hyperbilirubinemia, which can potentially cause bilirubin encephalopathy or kernicterus, a severe neonatal disease. Bilirubin is yellow in color and therefore stains the skin and other tissues if its concentration is high. Invasive procedures expose the neonates to trauma and risk of infection. Therefore, a non-invasive quantification of bilirubin in neonates has been sought by the pediatric community. Furthermore, these performing invasive tests are not always done accurately or unreliably. This paper puts forth the non-invasive approach of quantifying the bilirubin.