NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Mobile phone screening for anemia in young children in western Kenya

Official title: Mobile phone-based screening for anemia in young children in western Kenya

Funded at Rhode Island Hospital · NIH-11405056 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A low-cost, phone-based screening approach is tested to identify anemia in young children in western Kenya so they can get timely treatment.

More Anemia research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionRhode Island Hospital
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Providence, United States)
Project startSeptember 21, 2023
Project endAugust 30, 2028
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$188,658
NIH project number5R33HD110154-03
Project IDNIH-11405056 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Young children in LMIC communities (specifically where anemia is highly prevalent) and their caregivers seeking screening.

Less likely to help

Children without anemia or without access to follow-up care may not benefit directly.

What this research studies

This project explores using mobile phones to screen kids for anemia in a LMIC setting where lab tests are scarce. It aims to provide an easy, affordable screening pathway that could flag children who need care and guide them toward treatment for common causes like iron deficiency, malaria, and sickle cell disease. The study will collect data on screening accuracy and feasibility in real-world clinics and homes, with follow-up to link children to appropriate care. If successful, this approach could help reduce anemia-related health problems and improve child outcomes in similar settings.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, children with anemia could be identified earlier and receive timely treatment, improving growth and health.

How similar studies have gone: Past efforts show promise for mobile-based health screening in low-resource settings, but this specific anemia-screening approach is being tested for feasibility and accuracy.

Where this research is happening

  • Rhode Island Hospital
    Providence, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Mcgann, Patrick Thomas — Rhode Island Hospital
  • Study coordinator: Mcgann, Patrick Thomas

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • Hydroxyurea to help children with sickle cell anemia in Africa

    A pediatric study tests hydroxyurea treatment for young children with sickle cell anemia in several African countries to see if it can reduce illness and improve health.

    NIH research Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr · Cincinnati, United States · NIH-11606512

  • Hydroxyurea for Children with Sickle Cell in Africa

    A pilot study tests hydroxyurea in young children with sickle cell disease across several African countries to see if it can reduce illness and hospital visits.

    NIH research Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr · Cincinnati, United States · NIH-11606510

  • Hydroxyurea for Children with Sickle Cell Disease in Africa

    A safe and feasible use of hydroxyurea for young children with sickle cell disease in several African countries to reduce illness and improve daily life.

    NIH research Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr · Cincinnati, United States · NIH-11606509

  • Stem cell problems in Diamond-Blackfan anemia

    This project looks at why blood-forming stem cells don't work well in Diamond-Blackfan anemia by studying the common RPS19 gene change and its effects on TP53 and PRC2 pathways.

    NIH research St. Jude Children's Research Hospital · Memphis, United States · NIH-11481769

  • Mobile phone-based screening for anemia in young children in western Kenya

    A low-cost, phone-based screening approach helps identify anemia in young children in western Kenya so they can get timely care.

    NIH research Rhode Island Hospital · Providence, United States · NIH-11478561

  • Reducing anemia for newly married women in Nepal with home norms and micronutrients

    A program to help newly married women in Nepal improve iron status and overall health through household behavior changes and micronutrient supplements.

    NIH research University of California, San Francisco · San Francisco, United States · NIH-11474071

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.