FIRST BREATH - with a Little Help

During the first 60 seconds of life, neonatal resuscitation procedures are highly effective in reducing complications and increasing survival of newborn babies. However, an additional intervention may be needed when neonates need a little help with their first breath, often requiring a ventilation device. Such a device is harder to find in low- and middle-income countries. The solution is a manual and portable device for initial respiratory support that allows positive pressure ventilation. It will act as a respiratory trigger to improve chances for spontaneous breathing. The device employs a bellows mechanism, a valve and a connector, and will be available for different neonatal size groups. Local production will be encouraged to create business opportunities and it is intended to be available at a cost of at least ten times lower than standard devices. This project is funded under a collaborative agreement between CONCYTEC (Peru's National Council for Science, Technology and Technological Innovation) and Grand Challenges Canada (funded by the Government of Canada) to support Stars in Global Health innovators based in Peru.