Scientists have announced human trials for an artificial uterus could be approved this year, bringing hope to the 15 million infants born prematurely each year in the US.
A team at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia successfully tested the womb with preterm lambs, finding the animals ‘opened their eyes, became more active, had apparently normal breathing and swallowing movements’ while in the sac.
The main reason half of preterm babies don’t survive is their lungs aren’t fully developed due to premature birth, and they have a hard time transitioning from breathing in the amniotic fluid to breathing air.
The team conducted 300 successful tests, finding the animals had normal brain development and stable nutrition as if they were feeding off their mother.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has met with experts to discuss the following steps to bring the artificial uterus, called EXTEND, into human trials – and is set to announce a decision later this year.