Researchers at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) have developed a groundbreaking artificial uterus device, mimicking the womb to boost survival rates for extremely preterm infants and reduce long-term complications. Detailed in a April 25, 2017, Nature Communications study, this innovation—a fluid-filled plastic bag with an oxygenation circuit and artificial umbilical cord—succeeded in lamb trials with highly promising results.
The World Health Organization notes 15 million premature births (before 37 weeks) occur worldwide annually, with complications as the top cause of death in children under 5. Despite neonatal care advances, options for the earliest preemies remain limited. Led by fetal surgeon Alan Flake, MD, and his CHOP team, this advance signals real hope for better outcomes.
Lamb fetuses at 15-16 weeks gestation—equivalent to human extreme prematurity at 23-24 weeks—were supported for over 25 days, maintaining excellent vital functions. This marks the first time an external system achieved such prolonged stability. With lamb lung development mirroring humans, it could slash infant mortality from 90% to 10% and complications from 90% to 30%. A key challenge: evaluating intracranial hemorrhage risk, complicated by lambs' faster brain maturation. Ongoing tests aim for human trials in 3-5 years.
