Projektbeschreibung
Sensor zur Erkennung von Laktationsinsuffizienz
Die Weltgesundheitsorganisation empfiehlt das Stillen in den ersten sechs Lebensmonaten und verweist damit auf die Bedeutung von Muttermilch für die Säuglingsgesundheit. Bei vielen Frauen reicht die Milchmenge jedoch nicht aus. Das EU-finanzierte Projekt LactIns-and-outs untersucht Ursachen für Laktationsinsuffizienz und die Zusammensetzung von Muttermilch in der Stillzeit. Hierfür wird ein kompakter Sensor entwickelt, der über ein Brusthütchen angelegt wird. Der Sensor analysiert mit einem optischen Verfahren in Echtzeit das Milchfett in Form von Fettkügelchen sowie physiologische Parameter der Milchdrüsen. Mit dem Sensor könnte das Stillen verbessert und Laktationsinsuffizienz leichter erkannt werden.
Ziel
Breastfeeding is important for infant and maternal health. However, 10-15% of breastfeeding women fail to produce enough milk, while 40-50% give up early because of perceived insufficiency. As a result, only a minority meet the WHO recommendation to exclusively breastfeed during the first six months. To address this public health challenge, two key questions need to be solved: What do nursing infants actually drink? And how is this milk transfer regulated by mammary physiology?
My vision is to pioneer new, quantitative methods that allow to solve these fundamental questions. Building on my expertise in biophotonic innovations for neonatal care, I propose to develop non-invasive optical tools to quantify milk transfer in situ (WP1) and map the causes of lactation insufficiency from the largely unexplored perspective of mammary physiology (WP2).
In WP1, the scientific challenge is to develop methods for inline monitoring of both the milk volume consumed and its varying composition during a breastfeed. I propose two novel optical methods based on light scattering by milk fat globules, building upon laser Doppler flowmetry (volumetric flow rate) and angular resolved light scattering spectroscopy (composition). The technological challenge is to integrate both methods into a safe, compact sensor prototype, engineered into a nipple shield.
In WP2, I will translate the technology of Diffuse Optical Spectroscopic Imaging (DOSI) to lactation science. Here, the scientific challenge is to quantify mammary physiological parameters in real-time, using DOSI and my sensor from WP1 during live breastfeeds. In both WPs, I will use state-of-the-art (medical) ultrasound for validation.
By engineering dedicated tools for lactation research, this project will enable a leap forward in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of both actual and perceived lactation insufficiency. In turn, this will lead to better breastfeeding support and improved individual and public health outcomes.
Wissenschaftliches Gebiet
- medical and health scienceshealth sciencesnursing
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensors
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicinephysiology
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesacousticsultrasound
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsspectroscopy
Programm/Programme
- HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme
Thema/Themen
Finanzierungsplan
HORIZON-AG - HORIZON Action Grant Budget-BasedGastgebende Einrichtung
7522 NB Enschede
Niederlande