Treatment Device for Neonatal Birth Asphyxia Related Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy

Abstract Background: Birth asphyxia is a leading cause of neonatal brain injury, morbidity and mortality globally. Birth asphyxia leads to multi-organ dysfunction in the neonate and to neurological dysfunction called Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE). Cooling therapy is being used as a means of treatment in developed countries. However, these devices are not affordable for low-resource settings, including Ethiopia. Moreover, many cooling devices do not have a rewarming functionality after cooling therapy. The objective of this project was therefore to design and develop a cost effective and efficient total body cooling and rewarming device. Methods: Our design includes two water reservoirs that operate by pumping cold and warm sterile water to a mattress. After decreasing the core body temperature of the infant to 33.5 0 C, the system is designed to maintain this temperature value for 72 hours. Feedback for temperature regulation will is provided by rectal temperature sensor. Once the cooling therapy is completed, the system again rewarms the water inside the matters and gradually increases the neonate temperature to 36.5-37 0 C. The device also allows continuous monitoring of infant’s body temperature, mattress temperature reservoir temperature and pulse rate. Results: The prototype was built and undergone through different tests and iterations. The proposed device was tested for accuracy, cost effectiveness and ease to use. 93.2 % accuracy has been achieved for temperature sensor measurement and the prototype was built only with a component cost of less than 200 USD. Conclusion: The proposed devices allow an accurate, regulated and continuous monitoring of temperature of reservoirs, mattress and rectal temperature. was provided using sensors. The device can play a significant role by reducing neonatal brain injury and death due to HIE, especially in low resource settings, where the expertise and the means are in scarce.