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-10986010 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new, easy-to-use wireless system that helps doctors keep an eye on babies going through withdrawal from opioids, using comfortable wearable devices to track their heart rate and other signs, so they can provide better care.
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 | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $130,068 |
| NIH project number | 3R44DA049615-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10986010 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 who have not been exposed to opioids in utero may 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), which occurs when infants are exposed to opioids in utero. The approach involves using flexible, low-cost wearable devices that can continuously measure physiological responses such as heart rate and skin conductance. By providing objective data on the severity of NAS, this system aims to improve the accuracy of diagnosis and treatment monitoring, reducing reliance on subjective assessments by healthcare providers.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and safer management of withdrawal symptoms in newborns, potentially reducing hospital stays and associated healthcare costs.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of wearable technology for monitoring physiological responses is gaining traction, this specific application for neonatal abstinence syndrome is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.
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.