Lifecast Micro-Preemie Baby / Extremely Low Birth Weight (ELBW)

The Smallest Lives Require the Greatest Care: Embracing Micro-Preemie Babies

Advances in medical science have extended the perceived age of viability, allowing most babies to survive ex-utero as early as 22 to 23 weeks gestation. This has created a need for a miniature manikin that can be used to simulate training in the care of infants of this specific age group. We introduced the world’s first ever 22-23 week micro-preemie manikin, developed in collaboration with Dr. Alok Sharma, Consultant Neonatologist at Southampton Hospital, England.

As micro-preemie babies are born several months before their due date, they face long stays in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) and although many premature babies grow up without long-term effects, many face severe health problems at birth. The initial treatment they receive can dramatically impact how the babies develop in the short and long term, which is why effective medical education plays a critical role in optimizing this care.

Our micro-preemie manikin from Lifecast Body Simulation will aid in the training of healthcare professionals for the acute medical management of pre-term patients, a challenge that is widely acknowledged.

Benefits of an Anatomically Correct and High-Realism Micro-Preemie Manikin

An anatomically correct and high-realism micro-preemie manikin helps healthcare professionals to:

• Improve established protocols to address the diverse complexities presented by premature neonates
• Gain competence in the skills required for optimal premature infant care, leading to improved patient outcomes
• Develop emotional intelligence using realistic manikins, which is integral to delivering compassionate, effective, and high-quality healthcare

Key Features

• True average weight representation
• Anatomically accurate external body
• Anatomically correct internal airway ensures correct technique for:
  • Intubation
  • ET/NP/OP tube insertion
• Reactive chest that rises and falls with artificial ventilation (this manikin is suitable for high-frequency oscillatory ventilation)
• Realistic airway pressures and ventilation volumes
• Nasogastric tube placement
• CPR capable chest
• Designed to facilitate a 50/50 duty cycle during chest compressions
• Drug administration up to 5ml via the umbilical cord
• Dry IV cannulation placement
• Perform chest drain and needle decompression for treatment of tension pneumothorax feature (no fluid)

Delivery Content

• Micro-preemie baby
• Carry case