Design, Implementation, and Evaluation of the “Simultaneous Measurement of Infants’ Weight, Height, Head Circumference, Temperature, and Heart Rate Digital Device”

Abstract

Background: The measurement of various components of infant growth is not only essential for monitoring infant health but is also associated with the well-being of infants and their parents, the use of human resources, frequent repositioning of infants, and a considerable amount of time. Objectives: Therefore, the present study aimed to design and evaluate a device for the “simultaneous measurement of infants’ weight, height, head circumference, temperature, and heart rate”. Methods: This study follows a quantitative and semi-experimental approach. The “simultaneous measurement of weight, height, head circumference, temperature, and heart rate of a child” device was officially registered as an invention with the number 104232 on May 18, 2021. The sample for this study comprised 100 infants selected from hospitals affiliated with Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. The data related to all 100 infants were collected and recorded using both routine measurement methods and digital devices. Data collection tools included the Wong-Baker Faces scale to assess infant distress and a demographic questionnaire for recording growth components and the time of measurement. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS software (version 20), and statistical significance was determined using the t-test (P < 0.05). Results: The comparison of mean distress scores in both the control and intervention groups revealed a significant reduction in infant distress scores during all measurements except for weight (P < 0.05). It is worth noting that the number of infant repositions required for each measurement was reduced from 6 in the routine method to 2 with the digital device. Additionally, although 2 or 3 staff members were needed for measurements in the control group, only 1 staff member was sufficient for measurements in the intervention group. Discussion: Based on the evaluation results of the digital device, it is anticipated that this device could serve as a suitable alternative to the routine methods of measuring infant growth components. However, further studies are warranted to explore the broader applications of this digital device.