US Researchers Develop Smart Sensor To Protect Babies From Painkiller Overexposure

Researchers at the University of Southern California have developed a groundbreaking wearable sensor that prevents infants from being overexposed to acetaminophen, a common painkiller.

Integrated into a standard nursing pad, the device detects the presence of the drug in breast milk, offering a safer way to monitor medication transfer from mother to child during breastfeeding.

Painkiller Risks In Infants

Acetaminophen is widely used for managing postpartum pain in mothers and treating fever in infants.

However, when a breastfeeding mother takes the drug, she can pass it to the baby through breast milk, potentially causing double-dosing if the baby also receives the medication directly.

This increases the risk of acute liver failure, the leading cause of liver transplants in children in the United States.

“Lactating mothers face unique health challenges, including the potential transfer of medications through their milk,” said Maral Mousavi, Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering at USC. “This sensor aims to empower mothers with real-time information about drug content in their milk.”

US Researchers Develop Smart Sensor

To create a cost-effective and user-friendly monitoring system, the researchers embedded tiny microfluidic channels into a regular lactation pad. These channels naturally collect milk released during the let-down reflex and guide it to a sensing area.

There, electrochemical sensors detect and measure acetaminophen levels.

The sensor connects to a compact portable reader, which functions similarly to a glucometer.

It sends real-time data to a smartphone app, allowing mothers to decide whether to breastfeed or pump and discard milk containing the drug.

Sensor Detection Across Milk Types

The team validated the sensor’s accuracy using human milk samples containing various concentrations of acetaminophen.

They confirmed the device’s reliability across different milk stages, from colostrum to mature milk, and even in the presence of other substances like antibiotics.

This innovation represents a significant step forward in maternal and infant health. By providing real-time, at-home monitoring of breast milk, the smart lactation pad enables mothers to make informed decisions, reducing the risk of medication-related harm to their babies.

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