A new study conducted by researchers from Ruppin Academic Center and Hillel Yaffe Medical Center included the development of advanced AI models capable of predicting the risk of hospitalization for children arriving at the emergency room with respiratory symptoms while taking the environmental conditions in the child's place of residence into account. As part of the study, data were collected on the number of children who came into the Pediatric Emergency Medicine Department at Hillel Yaffe due to respiratory diseases between 2016-2017. The study was recently published in the international medical journal Pediatric Pulmonology and hails a breakthrough in the field.
Combining environmental data with smart medicine
As part of the study, advanced models were developed that relied not only on the child's medical information but also on weather conditions and air pollution levels in their area of residence, with emphasis on air quality levels, temperature and humidity percentages. The researchers found a significant correlation between high levels of air pollution and low humidity with the number of visits to the Emergency Medicine Department and the number of hospitalizations. On days when high pollution levels were recorded, there was a significant increase in the number of children who came to the emergency room due to breathing problems. A clear connection was also found between children's exposure to air pollutants and hospitalization. Children who required hospitalization were exposed to lower humidity levels – a significant finding that strengthens the connection between dry conditions and respiratory risk in children.
Researchers Dr. Vered Nir and Dr. Zohar Barnett-Itzhaki
Reducing the burden at hospitals through AI
"The models essentially enable us to predict, with a high level of confidence, the number of children who will need hospitalization even before a single blood test or X-ray is performed. On hazy days with extreme heat, low humidity and increased air pollution, it will be possible to prepare in advance for a larger number of personnel, in line with the expected increase in hospital visits," stated Dr. Vered Nir, Director of the Department of Pediatrics at Hillel Yaffe and a pediatric pulmonary specialist, who participated in the study together with Pediatric Division Director, Prof. Adi Klein.
These tools allow for advance planning of healthcare personnel more effectively, managing workloads during sensitive seasons, and optimizing real-time decision-making. In addition, the models may help identify at-risk populations and support preventive health policies in these areas.
Dr. Zohar Barnett-Itzhaki, head of the Environmental and Social Sustainability Research Center at Ruppin Academic Center, said, "This study joins other studies that indicate the significant health implications of exposure to air pollutants. The model we developed allows hospitals, especially pediatric departments, to better prepare for extreme air pollution events. At the same time, it is important to work vigorously to improve air quality in Israel, among other things, by encouraging the use of renewable energy and energy storage, transitioning to electric transportation and reducing emissions from industry."
.jpg?BannerID=39 "youtube channel")
