NEW TREATMENT CAN HELP PREM BABIES BREATHE EASY
A WORLD-first treatment using cells from a human placenta to protect and repair the damaged lungs of premature babies has been successfully trialled in the first babies, raising hopes for the first effective treatment for our smallest and most vulnerable patients.
In the first-in-human trial – the result of 10 years of research and $10 million investment – six extremely premature babies with chronic lung disease received the cell therapy at Monash Children’s Hospital, jumping one of the first hurdles of medical research – proving the treatment is safe.
With results from the landmark trial published today, the next trial starts this month to test if the treatment actually works to normalise the growth of underdeveloped lungs.
Flynn Minieri was born at 25 weeks gestation weighing 990g, and received the cells at three months of age before spending his first 7½ months in hospital.
Parents John and Kirsty Minieri said they agreed to take part in the trial, knowing there would be no likely benefit for their son, because of the desperate need for better care.
Flynn, now aged 19 months, still needs oxygen support at night.
“There is no doubt Flynn benefited from things in NICE that were trialled on other babies because of the brave decisions those parents made to take part in research,” Mrs Minieri said.