The smart phone study: assessing the reliability and accuracy of neonatal jaundice measurement using smart phone application

Abstract

Background: Current gold standard for bilirubin estimation in newborns is invasive while transcutaneous bilirubinometer which is a noninvasive option is costly. Smart phone applications can be used as an alternative to measure bilirubin. We did the study to evaluate “Biliscan” medical application for screening of neonatal jaundice.Methods: During the first seven days, neonates with suspected jaundice were taken blood samples for serum bilirubin. Within two hours photographs were taken using Biliscan app by placing a colour calibration card over the chest. Bilirubin estimate obtained after colour balancing, feature extraction and machine learning regression were compared with blood values.Results: There is a good correlation (0.6) between Biliscan bilirubin estimation and serum bilirubin levels (p <0.0001) in the present study on 35 neonates. Biliscan thorax values correlated better than abdomen values (0.6 versus 0.551) with serum values. Hence chest is the preferred area for Biliscan measurement. Conclusions: Biliscan app appears to be a good cheap option to screen for jaundice in newborns noninvasively.