Nursing profoundly premature newborns with artificial placentae: a review

Abstract

Neonatal mortality and morbidity are substantial issues affecting the maternal healthcare sector. Extremely premature infants, notably those born before the 28-week mark, experience significant morbidity and mortality rates during neonatal care. This is a result of developmental immaturity and iatrogenic injury. Several attempts have been made to develop a womb-like environment to mimic uteroplacental physiology, but limited success has been noted over the last decade. This review aims to summarize the current literature on improved techniques implemented in creating an artificial placenta, the principles of these procedures, and their limitations. Our findings indicate that implementing techniques that closely mimic uteroplacental pathophysiology is crucial in decreasing the excessive neonatal mortality and morbidity rates seen in extremely premature infants.