Researchers from University College London and the University of Ghana have demonstrated that anemia in newborns can be identified through photos taken with a smartphone. The findings come from work published in PLOS ONE, adding a new dimension to child health screening using everyday technology.
In a detailed analysis, the team examined images from 43 children younger than four. They focused on three regions where skin tones are lighter, including the white of the eye, the lower lip, and the lower eyelid. Through careful review of these areas, the researchers were able to detect the most severe anemia cases with notable accuracy, suggesting a practical, noninvasive screening approach.
This method holds particular promise for improving anemia screening in Ghana and other low- and middle-income countries where iron deficiency is common. The smartphone-based process is faster, simpler, and cheaper than drawing blood for laboratory testing, which can ease screening burdens in resource-constrained settings and enable earlier diagnosis and treatment for affected children.
Earlier efforts had used smartphone photos to screen for neonatal jaundice, illustrating a broader potential for mobile imaging in pediatric health monitoring. The current research extends this concept to anemia, highlighting how visual cues in accessible body areas can reflect hematologic status without invasive procedures.
Globally, anemia remains a major health challenge, impacting billions and especially affecting children’s development. When anemia is present, children may experience a higher risk of infections and slower cognitive and physical development, underlining the importance of scalable screening tools that reach underserved populations and support timely care.