An extra-uterine system to physiologically support the extreme premature lamb

• DOI: 10.1038/ncomms15112
• Publication Date: 2017-04-25T15:03:39Z
• Authors: Emily A. Partridge; Marcus G. Davey; Matthew A. Hornick; Patrick E. McGovern; Ali Y. Mejaddam; Jesse D. Vrecenak; Carmen Mesas-Burgos; Aliza Olive; Robert C. Caskey; Theodore R. Weiland; Jiancheng Han; Alexander J. Schu...; James T. Connelly; Kevin C. Dysart; Jack Rychik; Holly L. Hedrick; William H. Peranteau; Alan W. Flake
• Keywords: Oxygenator; Fetal circulation

Abstract In the developed world, extreme prematurity is leading cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity due to a combination organ immaturity iatrogenic injury. Until now, efforts extend gestation using extracorporeal systems have achieved limited success. Here we report development system that incorporates pumpless oxygenator circuit connected fetus lamb via an umbilical cord interface maintained within closed ‘amniotic fluid’ closely reproduces environment womb. We show fetal lambs are developmentally equivalent premature human infant can be physiologically supported in this extra-uterine device for up 4 weeks. Lambs on support maintain stable haemodynamics, normal blood gas oxygenation parameters patency circulation. With appropriate nutritional support, demonstrate somatic growth, lung maturation brain growth myelination.