THEO: A Monitoring Device for Milk Consumption in Infants with Cleft Lip or Cleft Palate
摘要
Cleft lip and cleft palate (CL/P) is widely recognized as the most common congenital craniofacial anomaly, affecting a significant number of newborns worldwide. In countries such as Peru, this condition is especially prevalent in underserved rural regions, where a high number of infants are born with CL/P; approximately half present both cleft lip and palate. These infants frequently face feeding challenges that increase their risk of malnutrition, which can delay surgical intervention. Surgery correction typically requires meeting minimum physiological criteria known as the “Rule of 10.” Malnutrition remains a major concern in rural areas, highlighting the importance of effective nutritional monitoring in early infancy. This article presents a device designed to monitor milk intake in real time, addressing a crucial gap in early infant care. Using embedded force sensors, a microcontroller, and wireless modules, the device quantifies milk consumption in the first 5 min and transmits the data to an intuitive web platform integrated with the Peruvian HIS, enabling personalized user experience and secure information access for telemedicine. This solution enables early detection of feeding difficulties, improves follow-up, and facilitates timely decisions for caregivers and healthcare providers. The ergonomic design ensures compatibility with standard bottles and ease of use in home or clinical settings. By providing reliable, objective data on infant feeding based on the suction duration, the device supports better nutritional outcomes and enhances surgical readiness in infants with CL/P.