REVIEW ARTICLE ABOUT SMART INCUBATOR FOR PREMATURE BABIES

Abstract

Premature birth is the leading cause of mortality among children under five globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where access to neonatal care technologies is limited. Commercial neonatal incubators, though effective in managing thermoregulation for preterm infants, are prohibitively expensive, technologically complex, and difficult to maintain in resource-limited settings. Existing solutions, including equipment donations and Kangaroo Mother Care, face cultural, logistical, and sustainability challenges, highlighting the need for accessible, low-cost, and locally maintainable alternatives. This study aims to design and validate a low-cost, open-source, Arduino-based smart neonatal incubator incorporating essential monitoring and control systems for temperature, humidity, and infant vitals. The developed prototype, costing approximately €250, demonstrated successful thermal regulation, humidity control, noise minimization, and accurate weight and heart rate tracking. Additional features included real-time monitoring via IoT, data analytics integration, and SMS/email alert systems. Performance was tested over extended durations, showing reliability, safety, and replicability. Unlike conventional models, this incubator offers a modular, open-source architecture that can be built with off-the-shelf components, allowing local fabrication, contextual adaptability, and affordable scalability in LMICs. The proposed system presents a sustainable solution to reduce neonatal mortality in under-resourced regions. Its replicability and adaptability support long-term ownership, effective clinical use, and potential integration with telemedicine and AI-powered decision systems.