Monitoring withdrawal symptoms in newborns exposed to opioids.
Official title: Wireless withdrawal detection and monitoring system for neonatal abstinence syndrome.
Funded at Rekovar INC. · NIH-10661085 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new, easy-to-use wireless system that helps doctors keep track of withdrawal symptoms in newborns who were exposed to opioids before birth, using comfortable wearable devices to measure things like heart rate and skin responses, so they can provide better care for these babies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rekovar INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lake Forest, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 1, 2020 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $1,284,826 |
| NIH project number | 5R44DA049615-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10661085 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are newborns diagnosed with neonatal abstinence syndrome due to in utero opioid exposure.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not newborns or those not affected by neonatal abstinence syndrome will not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a wireless system to detect and monitor withdrawal symptoms in newborns suffering from neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), a condition caused by opioid exposure in utero. By utilizing flexible, low-cost wearable devices, the study aims to objectively measure physiological responses such as heart rate and skin conductance, which can indicate the severity of withdrawal symptoms. This approach seeks to reduce the reliance on subjective assessments by healthcare providers, thereby improving the accuracy of diagnosis and treatment. The ultimate goal is to create new scoring tools that can guide treatment decisions and improve outcomes for affected infants.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate and timely interventions for newborns with NAS, potentially reducing hospital stays and improving health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using wearable technology for monitoring physiological conditions, indicating potential success for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Rekovar INC.
Lake Forest, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sharareh, Shiva — Rekovar INC.
- Study coordinator: Sharareh, Shiva
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.