A New Way to Find Bruises in Children
The Objective Identification of Bruising in Children using Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy
['FUNDING_R21'] · MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN · NIH-11168737
This project is developing a special light tool to help doctors accurately find bruises on infants and children, especially when child abuse is suspected.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R21'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (MILWAUKEE, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11168737 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Doctors currently rely on their eyes to find bruises on children, which can be tricky, especially for those with darker skin. This can sometimes lead to delays in getting help for children who might be experiencing abuse. Our project is exploring a new, non-invasive light technology called reflectance spectroscopy to make bruise detection more accurate and immediate. This special light tool could help healthcare providers make faster, more reliable decisions about a child's safety and care.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is relevant for infants and children aged 0-11 years who may have bruises, particularly in situations where child physical abuse is suspected.
Not a fit: Patients whose conditions do not involve bruising or who are outside the 0-11 age range would not directly benefit from this specific diagnostic tool.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this technology could lead to more accurate and timely identification of bruising in children, helping to ensure their safety and reduce disparities in care.
How similar studies have performed: While reflectance spectroscopy has shown promise in other medical applications, its specific use for objective bruise identification in children is still being validated.
Where this research is happening
MILWAUKEE, UNITED STATES
- MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN — MILWAUKEE, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: NARANG, SANDEEP — MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN
- Study coordinator: NARANG, SANDEEP
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.