Accuracy and Feasibility of Non-Invasive Anemia Screening Assistant (ASIST) Device in Resource-Limited Settings

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Project Summary Validation and Feasibility Non-Invasive Anemia Diagnostic Tool (ASIST Device) This project will establish the accuracy and feasibility of our novel non-invasive, portable, low- cost device to diagnose chronic nutritional and hemolytic anemia in resource poor areas. This device has the potential to mitigate the prevalence of anemia in LMICs, improving health outcomes, especially in pregnant women and adolescent girls. Despite increased attention from the WHO, anemia continues to be a formidable public health issue affecting a third of the world's population, with much of the disease burden in low- and middle- income countries (LMICs). Pregnant women and young children are the most vulnerable of these populations. Severe anemia in pregnancy contributes significantly to preventable morbidity and mortality both during pregnancy and in the delivery process. For the fetus of an anemic mother, there are long-term neurodevelopmental consequences. In resource-rich countries, anemia can be diagnosed using minimally invasive point of care devices and nutritional and hemolytic causes can be differentiated without invasive testing using exhaled Carbon Monoxide, a breakdown product of hemoglobin. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where this type of testing is not readily available, the diagnosis of anemia is often inaccurate or missed all together. Based on the global burden of anemia, especially in LMICs, there is a need for a low-cost device that can non-invasively detect anemia and help to distinguish between nutritional and hemolytic causes to inform clinical decision making.