Smart diapers: From wetness monitoring to early diagnosis

Diaper dermatitis and associated infections are common problems that often afflict diaper wearers. These problems will become more prevalent in the future, as our population ages and more people need to wear diapers. An urgent solution is therefore needed to address these problems. Smart diapers have recently attracted much attention for their potential to significantly reduce the occurrence of diaper dermatitis and skin infections, by enabling timely change of soiled diapers via instant notification. Over the past decade, research has focused on the development of wearable technologies that facilitate the progress and commercialization of smart diaper products. Herein, we review the state-of-the-art development of smart diapers and alert systems, including sensing technologies, wireless communication protocols, and data processing strategies, as well as the extension of their capabilities from wetness monitoring to biomarker detection. Their advantages, drawbacks, and overall suitability for different groups of wearers are evaluated. We conclude by discussing the challenges, future research directions, and the potential use of smart diapers in the early diagnosis of diseases.