Bilirubin Estimation Aiding Jaundice Detection in Neonates Using Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy

Neonatal jaundice is a condition that is commonly observed in all newborn babies after their birth. Since the earlier discharge of babies from hospitals has been a regular practice, detecting, monitoring, and treating neonatal jaundice has become more complicated. Bilirubin is the chromophore, a yellow pigment that causes neonatal jaundice. Chromophores are the molecules that absorb specific light wavelengths, which are essential in various biological and therapeutic applications. Traditionally, those chromophores have been quantified using invasive methods, such as biopsy or blood sampling, which can be uncomfortable for the patient and increase the risk of infection. In recent years, optical-based practices have emerged as a promising non-invasive technique for measuring bilirubin, as it can penetrate tissues and provide information on biological samples' absorption and scattering properties. In this study, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy offers a non-invasive approach for estimating and measuring bilirubin concentration.