Creating a system to measure pain in newborns using AI technology
Official title: Developing AI-Driven Pain Intensity and Pain Sensitization Biomarker Signatures to Optimize Neonatal Pain Management
Funded at University of South Florida · NIH-10973901 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a smart system that helps doctors and nurses better understand when newborns in the NICU are in pain, so they can use safer treatments and keep these little ones healthier during tough times.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tampa, United States) |
| Project start | September 6, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,278,689 |
| NIH project number | 1UG3NS138882-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10973901 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are newborns aged 0-4 weeks who are undergoing invasive procedures or surgeries in the NICU.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not in the NICU or those who do not require pain management interventions will likely not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving pain management for newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) by developing an automated system that uses artificial intelligence to continuously monitor pain levels. The goal is to identify pain early, allowing healthcare providers to use non-opioid treatments and reduce the need for opioids, which can have harmful long-term effects on brain development. By utilizing biomarkers, the system aims to provide objective and reliable pain assessments, addressing the challenges of subjective evaluations currently used by nurses. This innovative approach seeks to enhance the overall care and outcomes for vulnerable infants undergoing painful procedures.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better pain management strategies for newborns, reducing their exposure to harmful opioids and improving their long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of using AI for pain monitoring in neonates is innovative, similar methodologies in other areas of pain management have shown promising results.
Where this research is happening
-
University of South Florida
Tampa, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sun, Yu — University of South Florida
- Study coordinator: Sun, Yu
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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.