New technology which could revolutionise the way premature babies are cared for and help to save lives is being trialled at the Trevor Mann Baby Unit in Brighton.
The technology stimulates a baby’s natural brain and lung response avoiding the need for drugs or medical intervention.
By stimulating the baby’s hands and feet it tells the brain that the baby is moving which in turn tells the lungs they need to breathe.
Premature babies have underdeveloped brains which means sometimes they stop breathing for 20 seconds or more which can lead to respiratory failure, long terms health conditions and sometimes even death.
Watch the BBC Southeast news video here featuring Professor of Perinatal Medicine and neonatal consultant Dr Heike Rabe who is leading on the study at BSUH. Dr Rabe hopes to carry on the trial to see if a larger number of babies can benefit in the future.
Dr Rabe said: “I am delighted to support this pilot study to help premature babies. This technology will hopefully help us to prevent serious health concerns in our very vulnerable babies and support their future developmental outcomes. This project is a prime example of constructive collaboration between industry, academia and the NHS.”
