Using light to identify bruises in children
Official title: The Objective Identification of Bruising in Children using Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy
Funded at Medical College of Wisconsin · NIH-10785645 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new way to help doctors accurately identify bruises in babies and kids, especially when there are concerns about child abuse, so they can make better decisions and provide the right support for children, no matter their skin tone.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical College of Wisconsin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $187,107 |
| NIH project number | 1R21HD113797-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10785645 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are infants and children under the age of 11 who may present with bruising and are suspected of experiencing physical abuse.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not exhibit bruising or are over the age of 11 may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the use of diffuse reflectance spectroscopy as a tool to objectively diagnose bruising in infants and children. The goal is to improve the accuracy of identifying bruises, especially in cases of suspected child abuse, where bruising is a critical indicator. The study aims to address the challenges of subjective assessments that can lead to misdiagnosis, particularly in children with darker skin tones. By providing immediate and precise evaluations, this method could enhance the decision-making process for medical evaluations and reports to child protective services.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate and timely identification of bruising in children, improving the safety and welfare of vulnerable populations.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of reflectance spectroscopy is a novel approach in this context, similar technologies have shown promise in other diagnostic applications.
Where this research is happening
-
Medical College of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Narang, Sandeep — Medical College of Wisconsin
- Study coordinator: Narang, Sandeep
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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.