Prof. Guid Oei presenting an artistic impression of the artificial womb. Photo: Bart van Overbeeke.
Scientists in the Netherlands say they are within 10 years of developing an artificial womb that could save the lives of premature babies. Premature birth, before 37 weeks, is globally the biggest cause of death among newborns.
Through this project, scientists envisioned a solution as an artificial womb, where the intrauterine environment can be protected extracorporeally by transferring the extremely premature baby to a perinatal life support system. This will help the fetal organs further develop until they reach maturity.
With the perinatal life support solution, the supply of oxygen and nutrients would be maintained through the fetal umbilical cord connected to an artificial placenta. A liquid-based environment will support fetal cardiorespiratory physiology and will avoid the negative effects of air-based ventilation on the infant’s underdeveloped lungs.
In 2017, a team of scientists from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) in the US successfully tested an artificial womb meant to carry premature births on a lamb fetus. The technology provides a safety net to give a premature child every chance it can have of survival.
But, the development also raises ethical questions about the future of baby making. We meet Lisa Mandemaker, the designer working with the Maxima Medical Centre to create a prototype.
Watch video through the link below:
Video by Kayleen Devlin
Illustrations by Rebecca Hendin.