A team of Filipino scientists is developing a medical device aimed at improving treatment for gastroschisis, a serious condition where a baby is born with internal organs protruding outside the body due to an incomplete abdominal wall.
Project leader Dr. Alvin Caballes said the condition affects about 1 in 3,000 to 5,000 births in the Philippines. He shared the update during the Department of Science and Technology’s Talakayang HeaRT Beat press conference.
High cost and risks of current treatment
At present, one of the standard treatments involves silo bags, which are used to gradually return the organs inside the abdomen while protecting them. However, each use can cost around $500 (about P28,000) and may still pose risks for newborn patients.
Because of this, the research team is working on a more affordable and safer alternative called the Pediatric Abdominal Wall Defect Closure Assistive Device.
Caballes said the goal was to create a solution that is practical, accessible, and less costly. “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,” he said.
From prototype development to future testing
The device is still in development, with the team exploring 3D printing as a possible method for production. Caballes noted that initial assumptions about manufacturing proved more complex due to limited local capability and regulatory requirements.
So far, the researchers have created a prototype with three components, a simulation model that mimics a baby’s abdomen, and a system that monitors vital signs.
The team is now working on refining the design, completing remaining components, and preparing for eventual testing on living subjects.
