Noninvasive technology detects early intestinal disease in premature infants

June 5, 2026 - 19:39

A first-of-its-kind study suggests a new noninvasive technique may help doctors catch a devastating intestinal disease in premature infants long before it shows up on an x-ray. The technology, known as broadband optical spectroscopy (BOS), was tested in a small human study at a Chicago children's hospital and the results were published in the Journal of Pediatric Surgery.

The condition, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), is a serious intestinal emergency that primarily affects babies born too early. It can progress rapidly, damaging the gut wall and leading to infection or even death. Currently, doctors rely on x-rays to confirm the diagnosis, but by the time changes are visible on an x-ray, the disease is often already advanced.

BOS works by shining light through the abdominal wall and analyzing how different wavelengths are absorbed or scattered by the tissue beneath. This gives doctors a real-time read on the health of the intestinal tissue, potentially flagging early warning signs of inflammation or reduced blood flow before the tissue is permanently damaged.

The researchers behind the study say this approach could be a game-changer for neonatal intensive care units. If confirmed in larger trials, it might allow doctors to intervene with treatments like antibiotics or temporary feeding breaks much sooner, potentially saving more babies from surgery or long-term complications. The team is now working on refining the device and planning broader studies to confirm its accuracy.