Episode details

World Service,1 min
Plans for an artificial womb could help save the lives of premature babies
World UpdateAvailable for over a year
Premature birth, before 37 weeks, is globally the biggest cause of death among newborns. While incubators can save the lives of some premature babies, they can also leave them with long-term disabilities. Now doctors in the Netherlands say they are within 10 years of developing an alternative – an artificial womb that could save many more lives and reduce the risk of such disabilities. Sofia Bettiza reports on this innovative work. Photo: A hand holding the foot of a premature baby Credit: Getty Images
Programme Website