Wearable tech predicts postoperative complications in pediatric patients

Editor's Note

Consumer wearables can help detect surgical complications in children days before formal diagnosis, according to a July 9 article from the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern Medicine.

The article focuses on a study published in Science Advances and led by researchers at Northwestern University, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Scientists reportedly used commercially available Fitbit devices to monitor children following appendectomy—the most common pediatric surgery, which can result in complications in up to 38% of cases.

Fitbits were given to 103 children for 21 days after discharge. Rather than relying on standard activity and heart rate metrics, researchers trained an algorithm using new metrics related to circadian rhythms in heart rate and movement patterns. According to the article, these new metrics proved more sensitive in detecting signs of complications. Retrospective analysis showed the algorithm could predict postoperative complications with 91% sensitivity and 74% specificity—up to three days before they were formally diagnosed.

As detailed in the article, traditional postoperative monitoring often depends on subjective reporting by children and their caregivers, which can delay detection. Study author Dr. Fizan Abdullah noted that the wearable-based approach could offer a more objective and timely method for identifying complications and improving care across pediatric settings.