Development of an artificial placenta for support of premature infants: narrative review of the history, recent milestones, and future innovation.

ABSTRACT: Over 50 years ago, visionary researchers began work on an extracorporeal artificial placenta to support premature infants. Despite rudimentary technology and incomplete understanding of fetal physiology, these pioneering scientists laid the foundation for future work. The research was episodic, as medical advances improved outcomes of premature infants and extracorporeal life support (ECLS) was introduced for the treatment of term and near-term infants with respiratory or cardiac failure. Despite ongoing medical advances, extremely premature infants continue to suffer a disproportionate burden of mortality and morbidity due to organ immaturity and unintended iatrogenic consequences of medical treatment. With advancing technology and innovative approaches, there has been a resurgence of int

SUBMITTER: Fallon BP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8192990 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature