Non-Invasive Wearable Sensor for Real-Time Neonatal Jaundice Monitoring Using Forehead Skin Tone Analysis

Abstract

Neonatal jaundice affects over 80% of newborns globally, posing significant health risks if untreated. Current diagnostic methods either lack accuracy or are prohibitively expensive, limiting accessibility in low-resource settings. This study presents a cost-effective, wearable device for non-invasive bilirubin monitoring based on forehead skin tone analysis. The device, comprising a TCS34725 color sensor and ESP32-C3 microcontroller, offers real-time bilirubin predictions validated against standard clinical methods. Calibration ensures reproducibility across devices, with recovery rates of 91–107%, meeting analytical validation standards. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize neonatal care by providing accessible, sustainable, and accurate monitoring, especially in underserved regions.