PH scientists develop cheaper gastroschisis treatment device

A group of Filipino scientists is working on a device that could help close a baby’s abdominal wall defect and potentially save lives.

During the Department of Science and Technology’s Talakayang HeaRT Beat press conference on Wednesday, project leader Dr. Alvin Caballes discussed gastroschisis, a life-threatening condition affecting an estimated one in 3,000 to 5,000 births in the Philippines.

Gastroschisis is a condition in which a baby is born with internal organs protruding outside the body due to an incomplete abdominal wall.

Current treatment options, such as silo bags, can cost around $500 (about P28,000) per use and may pose risks to patients, prompting the need for a more affordable and safer innovation, such as the Pediatric Abdominal Wall Defect Closure Assistive Device.

"Is there anything we can do so it would not be too difficult to procure, not too expensive, and yet not just something we simply insert? We wanted to develop another device," Caballes said.

He said the device is currently under development, with the team exploring 3D printing as a potential manufacturing method.

“When the proposal was submitted, there was an assumption that we could produce this and simply outsource it. But no one in the country had the capability. The materials were also available, but at some point, we also had to deal with regulatory requirements,” he said.

So far, the team has built a prototype device with three components, a test model that mimics a baby’s abdomen, and a system to monitor vital functions.

Going forward, Caballes said the team plans to improve how the device is made, complete the remaining parts of the project, and test it on living subjects.—MCG, GMA News