Development of evaluation tool for nipple trauma associated with breastfeeding that enables objective evaluation

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K19634
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 58070:Lifelong developmental nursing-related
• Research Institution: Hokkaido University
• Principal Investigator: NAKAMURA Maya 北海道大学, 保健科学研究院, 助教 (50824710)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 授乳 / 乳頭損傷 / 客観的評価 / 機械学習

Outline of Final Research Achievements

As a result of this research, we proposed "Seven signs of nipple trauma associated with breastfeeding" which is an observation tool of nipple trauma. We also examined the feasibility of introducing image analysis technology. The classification and definition of nipple traumas became clear based on the opinions of experts such as midwives and dermatologists. Furthermore, it was suggested that the AI's image classification system and the midwife's judgment agree to a certain extent on this classification. Although we have not yet developed a final nipple trauma assessment tool, we aim to develop a system using machine learning based on the classification proposed in this study.

Free Research Field

母性看護学・助産学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

授乳で生じる乳頭損傷の客観的評価の実現に向け、基盤となる観察ツールを提案した。この成果は、助産師の母乳育児支援の実践において応用可能である。少子化が加速する現代社会において、助産師が母親にとって快適な母乳育児を支援する一助となる。
また、乳頭損傷評価にAIシステムを活用できる可能性が見いだされた。DX化が進む現代において、助産師の診断サポートや遠隔診断への応用の観点から意義があると考える。