Lifestyle
Artificial Wombs Could Help Premature Babies Survive and Develop
Scientists at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) have used artificial wombs to keep premature baby lambs alive during a critical stage of development, and they’re hopeful that they’ll be able to use the same technology for humans.
The Guardian explains that the lambs used were the human equivalent of 23 weeks old. Fetal surgeon Alan Flake says that the “proposed system could act as an urgently needed bridge between the mother’s womb and the outside world for babies born at between 23 to 28 weeks gestation.”
According to a video uploaded by Tech Insider, 30,000 babies in America are born prematurely at 26 weeks or younger. The clip shows the artificial wombs in action as the baby lambs move about inside their scientifically created wombs. It’s simultaneously odd and beautiful to see a stage of life that’s usually visually hidden.
A graphic from CHOP shows how the artificial womb works. The fetus is placed inside a “biobag” that has a port for lab-produced amniotic fluids to flow in and out. The umbilical cord reaches out to an Oxygenator where medicines and fluids can be administered.
Scientists know that the sight might be alarming to some. They say that the technology would look more like “a fluid-filled incubator, with a dark cover and interior” for humans.
