Rest-activity rhythmicity as digital biomarkers of postoperative recovery and complications in children - Report - MDSpire

Rest-activity rhythmicity as digital biomarkers of postoperative recovery and complications in children

  • By

  • Michela Carter

  • Rui Hua

  • Megan K. O’Brien

  • Hangil Lee

  • J. Benjamin Pitt

  • Soyang Kwon

  • Renee C. B. Manworren

  • Austin Chen

  • Arianna Edobor

  • Jane Holl

  • Arun Jayaraman

  • Hassan MK Ghomrawi

  • Fizan Abdullah

  • July 2, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Report: Digital Biomarkers of Postoperative Recovery in Pediatrics

Overview

This study explores the use of wearable-derived rest-activity rhythms (RAR) as biomarkers for postoperative recovery and complications in pediatric patients following appendectomy.

Background

Monitoring postoperative recovery in children is critical, as complications can lead to prolonged recovery and increased healthcare costs. Traditional methods of assessing recovery often rely on subjective caregiver reports, which can delay detection of complications. The integration of wearable technology provides a means to monitor physiological changes and circadian rhythms in pediatric surgical populations.

Data Highlights

This study utilized three novel wearable-derived RAR metrics to characterize postoperative recovery in children after appendectomy, demonstrating a predictive capability for complications with 91% sensitivity as reported in the study.

Key Findings

  • Wearable-derived RAR metrics can serve as indirect proxies for circadian rhythms in pediatric patients.
  • RAR metrics were able to predict postoperative complications up to three days prior to clinical diagnosis.
  • Approximately 14% of children experience postoperative complications after appendectomy.
  • Disrupted circadian rhythms post-surgery can indicate underlying pathologies such as prolonged inflammation and impaired healing.
  • Advances in consumer wearables facilitate the collection of vital signs and activity data for monitoring.

Clinical Implications

The use of wearable technology to monitor RAR metrics may enhance detection of postoperative complications in children.

Conclusion

The findings support the potential of wearable-derived RAR metrics as tools for monitoring postoperative recovery in pediatric patients.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Biorhythms derived from consumer wearables predict postoperative complications in children - PMC
  2. Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute Appendicitis: 2025 Edition of the World Society of Emergency Surgery Jerusalem Guidelines - PubMed
  3. Consensus Guidelines for Perioperative Care in Neonatal Intestinal Surgery: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS®) Society Recommendations - PMC
  4. Obesity Surgery — Insights Gained from Remote Monitoring in an Outpatient Bariatric Surgery Program—Secondary Findings from a Patient Preference Clinical Trial
  5. Frontiers in Pediatrics — Longitudinal patterns of postoperative brain oxygen saturation in children with congenital heart disease and postoperative delirium risk: a repeated measures analysis
  6. conexiant — Postoperative Step Counts Tied to Surgical Recovery
  7. Pediatric Cardiology — Analysis of Spectral EEG in Infants with Congenital Heart Disease: A Comparative Study of Surgical Cases
  8. Postoperative Step Counts Tied to Surgical Recovery
  9. Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute Appendicitis: 2025 Edition of the World Society of Emergency Surgery Jerusalem Guidelines - PubMed
  10. Consensus Guidelines for Perioperative Care in Neonatal Intestinal Surgery: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS®) Society Recommendations - PMC
  11. Biorhythms derived from consumer wearables predict postoperative complications in children - PMC

Original Source(s)

Rest-activity rhythmicity as digital biomarkers of postoperative recovery and complications in children

  • by Michela Carter, Rui Hua, Megan K. O’Brien, Hangil Lee, J. Benjamin Pitt, Soyang Kwon, Renee C. B. Manworren, Austin Chen, Arianna Edobor, Jane Holl, Arun Jayaraman, Hassan MK Ghomrawi, Fizan Abdullah

  • July 2, 2026

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