Innovative Device Uses Single Drop of Blood to Assess Newborns' Immune Health

Researchers have developed a groundbreaking diagnostic tool capable of profiling the immune function of newborn babies using just a single drop of blood. The Biophysical Immune Profiling for Infants (BLIPI) system leverages advanced microfluidic technology to analyze immune cell behavior in real-time, providing critical insights into a newborn's immune response. This innovation allows clinicians to detect severe inflammatory conditions like sepsis or necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) swiftly, which are major causes of infant mortality, especially among preterm infants.

Current diagnostic methods rely on large blood samples—up to 1 milliliter—and lengthy laboratory processing times, which are challenging for fragile neonates with limited blood volume (sometimes as little as 50 mL). Such methods can delay necessary interventions. In contrast, BLIPI requires only 0.05 mL of blood and delivers results within 15 minutes, enabling rapid decision-making at the bedside or in neonatal intensive care units.

A recent study published in Pediatric Research demonstrated BLIPI's effectiveness in monitoring 19 infants, both full-term and preterm. The device detected significant immune cell changes, especially in a preterm infant who developed a serious blood infection, showcasing its potential to identify infections early and improve neonatal care.

By directly assessing immune cell properties like size and flexibility, BLIPI provides insights that complement existing blood tests such as CRP levels and white blood cell counts. Its portability and minimal blood requirement make it especially suitable for use in resource-limited settings, reducing the need for transportation and laboratory infrastructure.

This technology marks a significant step forward in neonatal diagnostics, offering faster, less invasive, and more accurate immune profiling. Future research aims to validate BLIPI across larger and more diverse neonatal populations and to refine its design for widespread clinical adoption. Beyond clinical settings, pharmaceutical companies and researchers see potential in using BLIPI for real-time assessments of immune responses during neonatal therapy trials, potentially transforming pediatric medicine and improving outcomes for vulnerable infants.

Prof Jongyoon Han, principal investigator, highlighted BLIPI's role in bridging scientific innovation with clinical needs. Dr. Kerwin Kwek and Senior Consultant Yeo Kee Thai emphasized the device's ability to provide rapid immune insights, enabling tailored treatments that could significantly impact newborns' health trajectories.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-kind-device-blood-profile-newborns.html