Neonatal length measurement: current devices, emerging technologies, and future prospects

Abstract

The prevalence of undernutrition in hospitals can reach up to 50%, particularly impacting infants under one year of age. This can lead to serious consequences, such as developmental delays, prolonged hospital stays, and increased mortality. In this context, accurate and frequent anthropometric measurements are crucial for optimizing nutrition, as a slight variation in measurements can place a newborn on the wrong growth track, influencing nutritional evaluation. Length measurement is one of the best anthropometric indicators of neonatal well-being in intensive care units. However, achieving accuracy and reliability in these measurements remains a challenge. The objective of this study is to explore the importance and specific challenges of length measurement in neonatal units, while critically reviewing the current measurement systems available on the market and identifying the strengths and limitations for their effective use, as well as opportunities and considerations for technological innovation in this area. The results of this study identified four types of devices, traditional stadiometers, bone diameter calipers, image-based devices, and wave-based devices. Additionally, digital platforms are available to assist in data analysis. The research highlights the current device limitations in neonatal units, thus providing an opportunity for innovation through interdisciplinary collaboration between healthcare professionals and user-centered design.