A wireless device that could help diagnose respiratory and sleep conditions in babies and young children is being trialled for the first time with hospital patients. The Paediatric Advanced Respiratory Service (Pars) combines wearable, wireless biosensors with mobile, app-based software to give real-time analysis of infants’ breathing when they are asleep. Experts said the technology has the potential to improve remote monitoring and diagnostic accuracy in conditions such as sleep disordered breathing and paediatric respiratory disease.
The technology is attached using an adhesive pad and tailored specifically for children, as many existing devices used in hospitals are invasive and therefore poorly tolerated by babies and toddlers. Currently available for research use only, the technology is now being used in an early stage study with 150 patients from the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow – 75 from the Sleep Clinic Unit and 75 from the Neonatal Unit. Dr Ross Langley, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde paediatric respiratory consultant, who has led the Pars project, said: “Detecting and monitoring respiratory problems in children and newborns can be challenging and we know that existing in-hospital devices are invasive and poorly tolerated by children.
“We are pleased that Pars has now entered an early stage study with patients as we explore new ways to diagnose sleep and respiratory conditions in young children. “This has been developed with industry partner Pneum.
