ParentPal

Inspiration

First-time parents often stress about the tiniest thing that happens to their baby. Everything from small bumps and scrapes to a new reaction or rash, parents worry about it all. This worry builds up into panic and parents find themselves in a position where they don’t know whether to wait it out or rush to the doctor -- and that’s where ParentPal comes in.

What it does

ParentPal helps parents understand what is normal vs. what is concerning for their baby. Parents can upload images and give some basic information, such as feeding patterns, stool colour, age of their baby, body temperature, and any other notes they may want to give. Using this information, the Gemini API can give quick and accurate responses about what the condition may be, an explanation of why that may be, some next steps for treatment, and when to get help if the condition worsens. If the parent still has any additional questions about the diagnosis, they can directly ask Gemini about its diagnosis through the chatbot function.

How we built it

Using a Flask microframework, we connected the Gemini API backend to a React frontend. Data is stored in a SQLAlchemy database, which allows for easy scalability in the future.

Challenges we ran into

UI design was one of the hardest parts of this project. We had to make sure that we were able to retrieve all te information needed in order to make an accurate "diagnosis" all while considering the behaviours of a stressed parent during this time. For this reason, we spent quite a bit of time making different mockups and planning different layouts -- all in the interest of ensuring that the website was both easy to use and visually appealing.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

ParentPal uses SQLAlchemy to store Gemini responses and ties them to a device's browser data to ensure a smooth experience for the parent the next time they use ParentPal. The data is stored for up to a week and is fed to the Gemini API so that it can track the condition as it progresses. It is important to note that no photos or personal data are stored -- only the Gemini response is stored to ensure privacy. In addition, we decided to only store up to 1 weeks data as younger children typically grow/change rapidly. As a result, with a smaller backlog, the responses will remain relevant to the child's current health.

What's next for ParentPal

The next steps would be the development of a mobile app for ParentPal, to improve accessibility and ease of use for parents. A mobile app can include functions such as point-and-shoot for the conditions. In the future, we can look forward to possible collaborations with public health organizations or healthcare professionals. These partnerships can allow us access to a larger database, meaning our platform can improve and grow as an early warning system.