According to data shared by the World Health Organization, it is estimated that in 2020 13.4 million babies were born prematurely, which represents more than 1 in 10 babies born. Complications derived from this condition are the main cause of death among children under 5 years of age, responsible for approximately 900,000 deaths in 2019.
The disparity in survival is notable: while in high-income countries almost all extremely premature babies survive, in low-income settings more than 90% die, a panorama that highlights the need to implement cost-effective and technological solutions.
Technology in detection and prevention
Integrating digital technology into prenatal care has become a transformative approach to improving access, efficiency and quality of maternal health services. Digital innovations, including telemedicine platforms, mobile applications (mHealth), and wearable devices, enable real-time monitoring and personalized care during pregnancy.
According to CSH experts, “technology makes it possible to identify at-risk pregnancies more early and accurately: remote monitors, high-resolution ultrasound and telemonitoring tools facilitate frequent monitoring of the mother and fetus. This early detection is essential to reduce the probability of premature birth.”
To detect early complications in high-risk pregnancies, advanced tools have been implemented. Image analysis software is used in ultrasound, blood biomarkers (molecular tests and biosensors), wearables to monitor contractions and maternal-fetal heart rate, and digital platforms that integrate clinical data for early warnings. From CSH they explain that these solutions, for example, “make it possible to detect preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction and signs of premature labor before they are clinically obvious.”
Neonatal intensive care
Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) are the center of treatment for premature babies, and technological innovation has redefined the quality of care. Modern NICUs incorporate state-of-the-art incubators and radiant cribs, intelligent non-invasive ventilation, precisely controlled infusion pumps, less invasive continuous monitoring systems, and digitally integrated environments that facilitate real-time clinical decisions. These improvements, they detail, “are designed to reduce adverse events, improve thermal control and optimize the safe administration of drugs and fluids.”
Continuous monitoring is a key piece. CSH emphasizes that continuous sensors and monitors allow heart rate, oxygen saturation, respiration and temperature to be constantly recorded without the need for repeated interventions. “This constant information is essential for the early detection of apnea, bradycardia, desaturations or infectious deterioration and, in addition, wireless solutions improve mobility and skin-to-skin contact when indicated,” they detail.
Another significant advance is the incorporation of Artificial Intelligence. “AI and machine learning models analyze large volumes of data (continuous monitoring, clinical history, laboratory results) to identify subtle patterns that precede neonatal sepsis, respiratory failure or the need for interventions,” the experts state. “These capabilities translate into predictive alerts that help optimize medication dosing, and support decisions about extubation or discharge, always in support of clinical evaluation.”
Specific examples of technologies that prevent unintended consequences include AI-based predictive alarm systems that anticipate sepsis; infusion pumps with automatic occlusion detection to avoid overdose; incubators and thermal systems that maintain a stable temperature to prevent hypothermia; and non-invasive sensors that reduce punctures and their associated risk.
Telemedicine for post-discharge follow-up
Telemedicine has proven to be an important advancement in ensuring continuity of services and monitoring of premature babies once they return home. The impact of these post-discharge innovations is significant, as telemedicine allows for remote monitoring, video consultations with neonatologists, sending of data (for example, saturations or weight) from home devices, and structured post-discharge follow-up programs.
According to CSH, “this remote monitoring has been shown to reduce unnecessary in-person visits, reduce early rehospitalizations, and improve adherence to controls and training of families for management at home.” The combination of early detection, continuous monitoring and data-guided therapies has led to a reduction in infectious and respiratory complications, a shorter stay in the NICU in some studies and better family support after discharge.
The company facilitates the incorporation of technologies that are essential to create modern and safe NICUs, contributing to early risk detection, thermal control and safe drug administration. In this way, CSH facilitates the integration of technologies that reduce clinical risks and improve the quality of neonatal care, covering everything from the delivery room to the initial post-discharge follow-up.
by RN
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