YOUTUBE, CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIAFetal lambs that are developmentally similar to human infants born extremely prematurely (as early as at 23 weeks of gestation) can survive and continue to develop in an artificial womb for up to four weeks, researchers at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute reported in Nature Communications today (April 25). In its paper, the team described its womb-like system, which notably differs from previous artificial womb setups in that it enables gas exchange to the fetus in a closed, sterile, fluid environment.
“We’ve developed a system that—as closely as possible—reproduces the environment of the womb and replaces the function of the placenta,” coauthor Alan Flake told reporters during an April 24 press briefing. “This, in theory, could allow support of a premature infant for a period of weeks and thereby reduce, dramatically, its mortality and morbidity, and improve outcomes both short- and long-term.”
Eight lambs survived as long as four weeks inside the devices, which connected the animals’ umbilical cords to machinery enabling fluid gas exchange to their developing lungs. “Infants that are currently born and supported in a neonatal intensive care unit with gas-based ventilation demonstrate an arrest of lung development, which manifests in the long term with severe restriction of function, which can translate into ...
