Technology is a marvellous thing, and it still amazes the world with its adaptation to better replace even the most complicated parts of ourselves.
Its abilities seem to be endless as we continue to invent new purposes for its invented devices.
And it has astounded us once again by giving premature newborns a better chance at surviving major health conditions, specifically regarding breathing issues.
New ultrasound technology is able to capture moving pictures of newborns’ lungs.
Doctors simply place the tiny paddles over the babies’ lungs,and they can see exactly what is going on with the little one’s breathing.
Currently, it takes several hours to determine a premature baby’s lung problems because doctors have to measure oxygen levels and make clinical assessments.
Unfortunately, many newborns do not have this length of time at their disposal.
However, with this new ultrasound technology a more precise diagnosis can be made within just 20 minutes of birth.
Scientists from Royal Women's Hospital and Monash University have put this life-saving device into action in their recent study published in Resuscitation and the BMJ's Archives of Disease in Childhood.
Dr. Douglas Bank, the study’s lead researcher, stated: “What we're hoping to do with ultrasound is see if we can make these decisions sooner and more closely after birth, and therefore initiate the right therapies sooner.”
This would aid in increasing premature babies’ rate of survival and reduce significant lung damage.
During the ultrasounds, researchers could see moving pictures of eight babies taking their first breaths.
They plan on conducting ultrasounds on 50 more premature newborns over the next year, and Dr. Banks has high hopes for the study’s continuation.
“So by being better able to decipher which treatment is appropriate for these premature babies, we might be able to further reduce the risk of death and chronic lung disease," he explained.
