Infrared-based quantification of clinical parameters

Infrared (IR) spectroscopy has become a promising technique for the analysis of clinical samples, and IR-based diagnosis is already a well-established technique in the academic field. This review aims to report the methodologies proposed for IR quantification of different analytes and parameters in a variety of clinical samples; including: liquids, such as whole blood, serum, plasma, urine, human milk, amniotic fluid and cerebrospinal fluid; solids, such as urinary stones, skin, hair and lips; breath; or, microscopic quantifications on tissues. For the application of IR spectroscopy to the clinical field, we also discuss: the benefits, which make IR spectroscopy ideally suited to modern medicine; and, the limitations, which are connected with sensitivity and selectivity issues. The review focuses on recent developments based on modern improvements on chemometric algorithms, sample treatment and direct measurements on samples. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.