Innovative newborn health technology for resource‐limited environments

Abstract

Abstractobjectives To review medical devices addressing newborn health in resource-poor settings, and to identify existing and potential barriers to their actual and efficient use in these settings.methods We searched Pubmed as our principal electronic reference library and dedicated databases such as Maternova and the Maternal and Neonatal Directed Assessment of Technology. We also researched standard public search engines. Studies and grey literature reports describing devices for use in a low-or middle-income country context were eligible for inclusion.results Few devices are currently described in the peer-reviewed medical or public health literature. The majority of newborn-specific devices were found in the grey literature. Most sources described infant warmers, neonatal resuscitators, and phototherapy devices. Other devices address the diagnosis of infectious diseases, monitoring of oxygen saturation, assisted ventilation, prevention of mother-tochild transmission of HIV, assisted childbirth, weight or temperature assessment, and others.conclusion Many medical devices designed for newborns in the developing world are under development or in the early stages of production, but the vast majority of them are not available when and where they are needed. Making them available to mothers, newborns, and birth attendants in resource-limited countries at the time and place of birth will require innovative and creative production, distribution, and implementation approaches.

Prevention and Management of Neonatal Hypothermia in Rural Zambia

“…A recent clinical RCT conducted at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia, demonstrated that preterm and low birth weight infants placed inside a simple, nonmedical polyethylene bag (costing 3 cents per bag) experienced less hypothermia than those with standard thermoregulation care (wrapping with blankets and placed either under a radiant warmer or in an open crib) [35]. Innovative, low-cost devices might particularly prove useful for premature infants, who often have a prolonged time of need for active thermal care [36].…”

Neonatal Jaundice in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Lessons and Future Directions from the 2015 Don Ostrow Trieste Yellow Retreat

“…The lack of effective phototherapy units, especially those capable of providing intensive irradiance (>30 µW/cm 2 ), contributes to the incidence of severe NNJ [1,45,79,80,81]. A recent report described a canopy for providing filtered-sunlight phototherapy, which was found to be effective in reducing TSB in infants with mild-to-moderate hyperbilirubinemia [70].…”

Open innovation as a new paradigm for global collaborations in health

“…Various studies have shown that a large number of health facilities either lack the basic equipment needed for clinical maternal, newborn and child health service delivery, or that items are present but not functional; the World Health Organization estimated that up to 70% of laboratory and medical equipment is not in service in some low resource settings [12]. This is often due to high procurement or replacement costs, supply chain problems, or designs that are not tailored to meet local needs [13]. Without reliable access to functional, high-quality and cost-effective equipment and spare parts it is difficult to translate increased demand for maternal, newborn and child health services into lives saved.…”