Project Description:
Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) is a life-threatening gastrointestinal disease that affects preterm infants (< 37 weeks). If not diagnosed early, it can lead to severe health complications and potentially death. Though NEC only affects 7-10% of preterm infants, the mortality rate for this disease ranges from 30-50%. The rate of disease progression can lead to mortality within a week of diagnosis in most cases. In severe cases, disease progression can lead to death within 24-48 hours of first symptoms. Previous research has concluded that formic acid, a short-chain fatty acid, is found at elevated levels in newborns who may be developing NEC. A 2023 BIOE Capstone Team developed a colorimetric assay to allow for easier screening of NEC in preterm infants through the detection of formic acid. Although this new assay shows promising results, NEC can still be costly and difficult to diagnose, as there are no at-home or bedside kits readily available to quickly determine results without proper laboratory equipment. NEC-Detect aims to provide a point-of-care device kit that rapidly and effectively detects NEC in NICU settings. The kit includes a small motorized centrifuge, capable of producing 12,000 Gs of force, Potassium Permanganate and PBS as assay reagents, and several novel tube caps to allow for sample collection, filtration, and detection. NEC-Detect will allow early detection and treatment of NEC while avoiding harm through accurate diagnosis and appropriate use of medical intervention. The kit design prioritizes ease of use by healthcare professionals with varying levels of training, ensuring equitable access and usability across different healthcare settings.
Key Words: Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC), Colorimetric Assay, preterm infants, gastrointestinal tract (GI Tract)
