Using Fitbit to detect infections early in children after surgery
Official title: Using the Fitbit for early detection of Infection and reduction of healthcare utilization after Discharge in Pediatric Surgical Patients
Funded at Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago · NIH-10933508 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the Fitbit Inspire 2 can help keep an eye on kids aged 3 to 18 after they have their appendix removed, by tracking their activity, heart rate, and sleep to catch any early signs of infection that might not be obvious otherwise.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 22, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $794,848 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NR020918-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10933508 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 3 to 18 who are undergoing appendectomy surgery.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not undergoing surgery or are older than 18 years may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the Fitbit Inspire 2 can be used to monitor children aged 3 to 18 after they undergo appendectomy surgery. By tracking physical activity, heart rate, and sleep patterns, the study aims to identify early signs of postoperative infections that may not be visible through traditional monitoring methods. The data collected will be analyzed using machine learning techniques to generate alerts for healthcare providers, allowing for timely interventions. This approach seeks to reduce complications and unnecessary healthcare visits after discharge.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier detection of infections in pediatric patients, improving recovery outcomes and reducing hospital readmissions.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using wearable devices for health monitoring, suggesting that this approach could be effective in pediatric postoperative care.
Where this research is happening
-
Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Abdullah, Fizan — Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Abdullah, Fizan
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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.