Could New Wearable Smart Sensors Safeguard Babies from Excessive Painkiller Exposure?

New Delhi, May 13 (NationPress) - A team of researchers from the United States has created a cutting-edge wearable lactation sensor designed to protect infants from the risks associated with overexposure to the widely used painkiller acetaminophen.

Acetaminophen, often administered for postpartum discomfort, is also commonly given to infants for fever relief, raising concerns about potential double-dosing through both direct feeding and breastfeeding.

This medication is the primary cause of acute liver failure in children and the leading reason for liver transplants in the United States.

The innovative acetaminophen sensor, developed by scientists at the University of Southern California, is integrated into a standard nursing pad and is capable of detecting acetaminophen levels in breast milk.

For nursing infants with underdeveloped liver metabolism, the presence of acetaminophen in breast milk can introduce additional hazards, as highlighted by the research team in their publication in the scientific journal Device.

“Mothers who are breastfeeding encounter distinct health challenges, including nutritional deficits, mastitis risk (a breast tissue infection), and the possible transfer of medications and other substances through their milk,” stated Maral Mousavi, Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the university.

Existing methods for measuring acetaminophen or other substances in milk are often expensive, complicated, and not suitable for home use. Thus, the researchers focused on lactation pads, which are worn inside a bra to absorb excess milk.

They enhanced a standard lactation pad by creating microfluidic channels that direct milk to a sensing area. The pads naturally collect milk during the let-down reflex throughout the day. Low-cost electrochemical sensors then detect and measure vital health indicators in the milk.

The sensor subsequently transmits real-time data to the user’s smartphone through a compact detector, functioning like a glucometer and employing electrical pulses to assess acetaminophen levels.

This technology enables users to make educated choices, such as opting to pump and discard milk containing medication, thereby ensuring safer feeding practices for their baby.

The accuracy of the sensor was validated using human milk samples with varying acetaminophen concentrations, confirming its effectiveness in the presence of antibiotics and throughout the changing composition of breast milk, from colostrum to mature milk.