Photo from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov)

Gastroschisis is a rare but serious congenital condition where a newborn’s intestines protrude outside of the body through a hole in the abdominal wall. In the Philippines, hospital-based studies have reported high mortality rates among babies with this defect, with numbers reaching up to 80% or 31 out of 35 newborns. Requiring intensive care and treatment, there is an urgent need for accessible interventions. While devices for the management of gastroschisis exist internationally, they are imported and costly, limiting access for many Filipino families.

Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Renato Solidum, Jr.  introduced a DOST-funded project at the University of the Philippines (UP) Manila who are developing the first locally-made pediatric abdominal wall defect assistive device for gastroschisis. “With our support for Filipino researchers, we create health solutions that lessen our reliance on international technologies and make quality care accessible to our communities,” said Sec. Solidum.

In the DOST – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development’s (DOST-PCHRD) Talakayang HeaRT Beat press conference, project leader Dr. Alvin D. Caballes of UP Manila shared updates regarding the development of the device.

As described by Dr. Caballes, the international standard for the management of gastroschisis is a medical-grade, cylindrical plastic bag called a silo bag, which is sutured to the opening of the abdomen to cover the exposed organs. This assists in the placement of the intestines back in the body and closure of the abdominal hole. Currently, there are no local manufacturers for the fabrication of the bag.

He shared that the team has produced a prototype of the locally-made assistive device’s bag component, along with the development of its fabrication method. Unlike existing silo bags, which are single-use, the prototype developed is reusable, making it more cost-effective. In addition, the device will also feature a physiological monitoring unit, providing additional safety features.

Although the completion of the device will take time due to the required tests it will undergo, Dr. Caballes said that the project will generate a high-quality, safe, and accessible health solution for Filipinos.

Following this first phase, the team will further refine the fabrication process before gearing up for in vivo testing. The development of the pediatric abdominal wall assistive device, along with prenatal detection, is envisioned to result in improved survival outcomes among newborns with gastroschisis.

The development of the device was funded by the DOST-PCHRD under its Biomedical Engineering for Health Program, with Phase 2 of the project underway. For more information on the Council’s research grant programs, visit:

https://www.pchrd.dost.gov.ph/what-we-do/research-and-development-rd-grant/ or follow the DOST-PCHRD Facebook page for announcements: facebook.com/dostpchrd.