ABSTRACT

The problems of infant swapping and abduction are prevalent worldwide and more common in developing countries. Traditional methods for newborn recognition have certain limitations, and thus a major challenge for neonatological units is recognition of babies. The use of biometrics for authentication of adults is well established, however, application of biometric for recognition of infants is a challenging task. Various biometric modalities are being explored for developing a newborn recognition system. The existence of such a system in birth centers/healthcare facilities would provide a low-cost solution for newborn adduction and swapping. Such a system will also aid in tracking vaccination schemes and civil ID programs. This chapter reviews the recent advancements made in this direction for developing an efficient biometric system for newborns.