Creating a digital stethoscope for better lung health in children in South Africa
Official title: Development and implementation of a pediatric AI multi-modal digital stethoscope and respiratory surveillance system in South Africa
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-10740943 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a budget-friendly digital stethoscope that can listen to kids' lung sounds and breathing rates to help doctors better track and treat lung infections, especially in areas where healthcare is limited.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | August 7, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $367,680 |
| NIH project number | 1R21HD109804-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10740943 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years living in sub-Saharan Africa who are at risk for lower respiratory infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients outside the age range of 0-11 years or those not residing in sub-Saharan Africa may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a low-cost digital stethoscope that can automatically analyze lung sounds and respiratory rates in children. It aims to integrate this device with a mobile health platform to monitor lower respiratory infections (LRIs) and antibiotic use in real-time. By improving diagnostic accuracy in low-income settings, the project seeks to reduce misdiagnosis and inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions, which are critical issues in sub-Saharan Africa. The research will also evaluate the effectiveness of this system through a controlled trial.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the diagnosis and management of respiratory infections in children, potentially saving lives.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using digital health technologies for improving diagnostics in low-resource settings, indicating potential success for this innovative approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mccollum, Eric Douglass — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Mccollum, Eric Douglass
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.