The Need

Children whose heights or growth rates fall outside of the normal range can be identified as having short stature (less than the 3rd percentile) or tall stature (above the 97th percentile) or as having abnormal growth velocity. Serial height measurements over time are key to identifying these patterns. Conventional infantometer and stadiometer technologies restrict height monitoring to sporadic intervals, are prone to error, and measurements at a well-child visit decline with age and are sometimes unavailable to children who are uninsured. While short and tall stature are usually caused by individual differences in a normal growth pattern, sometimes it can be an indication of underlying pathologies. A way to monitor height on a more regular, unobtrusive manner could help with early detection or monitoring of Turner syndrome, Crohn's disease, short stature, Celiac disease, growth hormone deficiency, and obesity, among others. Failure to identify and treat these conditions at an early stage can increase the risk for other health problems in the future.

The Technology

Researchers at The Ohio State University, led by Drs. Lisa Militello and Asimina Kiourti, have created fabrics that can automatically calculate height, weight, and BMI of a patient. The subject can be placed anywhere on a mat for measurement, and the concept is scalable to any desired fabric size or accuracy. The system is portable, so it can be used in the office of a care provider or at home.

Commercial Applications

• Pediatrics
• Diagnostics
• Measuring tools

Benefits/Advantages

• Wireless
• Unobtrusive
• Efficient
• Regular height monitoring