3D Printed Respiratory Masks May Be Able to Help Premature Babies

According to the World Health Organization, 15 million babies are born prematurely each year. A newborn is considered premature when it is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy. This abnormality can cause health complications for the baby, especially in terms of breathing as the lungs are not considered fully-functioning until they have reached term. That’s why medical students at Western University of Health Sciences (WesternU) in Pomona, California, decided to use 3D printing to create prototype breathing masks for premature babies. The project was started after the students noticed a lack of respiratory tools in dedicated neonatal care units.

CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) with surfactant therapy is the current preferred method to help premature newborns that are at risk for respiratory distress. Surfactant is a type of thick, foamy fluid. It plays an essential role in keeping the alveoli open and thus facilitates breathing in the baby. However, this technique involves the use of nasal tip masks, which can cause trauma in very low birth weight premature babies.

Premature baby in incubator (photo credits: Inserm)

3D Printed Masks Designed for Premature Babies

To solve this issue, these 3D printed CPAP masks have been designed to perfectly fit the nose of a premature baby. As a result, they are considered less dangerous for premature newborns suffering from respiratory distress and related diseases. These tools are generally used for babies who breathe well enough on their own. Nevertheless, the masks provide a constant air pressure in the baby’s nose, helping their lungs to stay open and avoid apneas, especially during sleep.