AI application detects anemia through nail photos: Medical solution for 2 billion people worldwide

Anemia is a medical condition that affects about 2 billion people worldwide, characterized by a decrease in the number of red blood cells or hemoglobin (Hgb) levels, leading to poor oxygen-carrying capacity. If left untreated, chronic anemia can cause serious complications such as myocardial infarction, target organ damage, and is especially dangerous for pregnant women. A new study from Chapman University (USA) has developed a mobile application that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to screen for anemia through nail image analysis - a non-invasive and convenient method.

Method and accuracy

Instead of requiring traditional blood tests (like a complete blood count, Hgb measurement, or peripheral blood smear), the app allows users to take a photo of their fingernails with their smartphone. An AI algorithm is trained to assess nail color and estimate the risk of anemia. Results from a clinical trial of 200,000 subjects in the United States showed:

1. Sensitivity 89% and specificity 93%, equivalent to gold standard laboratory tests.
2. AI-based personalization reduces error rates by 50% in patients with previously diagnosed anemia.
3. More than 1 million reviews were conducted as part of the study.

The role of applications in the healthcare system

The team emphasizes that the app is not a replacement for a professional medical diagnosis, but rather serves as a personal health monitoring and early warning tool. The app is particularly useful in the following cases:

1. Patients with chronic anemia (eg, chronic kidney disease, cancer) need regular monitoring of Hgb levels.
2. High-risk populations in areas with poor access to health services.
3. The system integrates geolocation functionality to generate county-level anemia prevalence maps in the United States – a tool to support public health surveillance.

Sanguina's AnemoCheck app was tested in India in 2020 as a community screening solution, but was not approved for official medical use. Chapman University's new version is expected to outperform it by:

1. Deep learning mechanism: Optimize models based on individual user data.
2. Extensive database: Connect with health systems to update epidemiological trends in real time.
3. Wide Accessibility: Reduce the cost burden for hundreds of millions of users.

However, experts also note: "Abnormal results from the app need to be confirmed with standard medical tests." The study, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), affirms the potential of AI to revolutionize global anemia screening.

Essentially, the application of AI to analyze fingernails represents a step forward in preventive medicine, combining digital technology and public health. However, integration into the healthcare system requires further research on long-term effectiveness and reliability in diverse populations.

Jessica Tanner

Update 27 May 2025