Emerging Technologies in Paediatric Laboratory Medicine: From Microassays to Machine Learning
This review examines ten emerging technologies applicable to paediatric diagnostics, spanning microassays, non-invasive testing, alternative specimen matrices, NGS, exosome analysis, and machine learning. Each is evaluated through clinical case studies including neonatal hypoglycaemia, hyperbilirubinaemia, sickle cell disease, and congenital adrenal hyperplasia. The authors distill nine key considerations for implementing novel technologies in paediatric settings, where sample volume constraints and age-specific reference intervals pose unique challenges.
The original study
Considerations for applying emerging technologies in paediatric laboratory medicine.
- Authors
- Lang T, Geaghan S, Loh TP, Mak C, Papassotiriou I, Kyriakopoulou LG
- Journal
- Clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine
- Type
- Journal Article, Review
- PMID
- 39044644
Original abstract
Emerging technology in laboratory medicine can be defined as an analytical method (including biomarkers) or device (software, applications, and algorithms) that by its stage of development, translation into broad routine clinical practice, or geographical adoption and implementation has the potential to add value to clinical diagnostics. Paediatric laboratory medicine itself may be considered an emerging area of specialisation that is established relatively recently following increased appreciation and understanding of the unique physiology and healthcare needs of the children. Through four clinical (neonatal hypoglycaemia, neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia, sickle cell disorder, congenital adrenal hyperplasia) and six technological (microassays, noninvasive testing, alternative matrices, next generation sequencing, exosome analysis, machine learning) illustrations, key takeaways of application of emerging technology for each area are summarised. Additionally, nine key considerations when applying emerging technology in paediatric laboratory medicine setting are discussed.