When babies are born, they draw their first breaths. Those gulps of oxygen trigger the lungs to stop developing.
When babies are born prematurely, the same thing happens. But a preemie's lungs are critically underdeveloped. Scientific advancements have made it possible for babies born as early as 22 or 23 weeks to survive, but they suffer from high rates of chronic issues. Babies born that early have only a 30% to 50% chance of survival. If they do make it, they face a 90% chance of developing a serious condition related to prematurity.
An artificial womb developed by researchers at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia could be a way to let premature babies get that much-needed extra time for their lungs and other critical organs and systems to develop. It could also reduce the estimated $43 billion the U.S. spends every year caring for premature infants.
A study published this week in the journal Nature Communications explains how it works.
The artificial womb, called the Biobag, is a closed-fluid system that uses a pumpless circuit to continuously circulate electrolyte-rich fluids via the umbilical cord in a polyethylene bag. In essence, it's a big sterile Ziploc bag with tubes coming out of it.
More:
http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-artificial-womb-premature-babies-20170428-story.htmlThis has the potential to be the biggest thing in pediatrics since doctors and midwives washing their hands.
