UK medics in world first with baby gas treatment

Two babies at risk of brain injury after being deprived of oxygen during birth were given the inert gas as they were transferred between hospitals.

Using xenon to prevent brain injuries in newborns was first performed in 2010 and has since been used only on specialist wards in the UK. It is currently undergoing clinical trials in Bristol.

The pioneering treatment must be carried out within a tight timeframe in order to be effective – meaning many sick babies have missed out as they could not reach a participating hospital in time.

But in a world first, experts from the Universities of Bristol and Swansea have built equipment which allows xenon gas to be administered in a transportable incubator. This means babies can receive xenon and cooling therapy immediately after birth and during ambulance journeys between neonatal units.

Every year more than 1,000 otherwise healthy babies born at full term die or suffer brain injury caused by a lack of oxygen and blood supply at birth, which can lead to life-long problems such as cerebral palsy.

Poppy Laker was the second baby in the world to be given xenon during transit after she was deprived of oxygen during her birth last Wednesday.

Parents Stephen and Kelly Laker, from Paulton, Somerset, gave doctors permission to give her the treatment just 30 minutes after her birth after being warned she was at risk of brain injury.

Poppy was delivered with forceps after her shoulder became stuck, squashing her umbilical cord, during the 16-hour labour.

The baby, the Lakers’ first, was not breathing when she was born at Royal United Hospital in Bath at 5.17pm.

Mr Laker, 29, an office worker, said: “They showed us our baby and then whisked her away for resuscitation. That was the most horrible part. It was the best and worst day of our lives.

“A doctor came and spoke to us and explained the cooling and xenon. We had a 30-minute window to decide whether Poppy should have the treatment. We decided we had to do it –any chance of getting her healthy again.”

Poppy was immediately taken from Royal United Hospital to Bristol’s St Michael’s Hospital, where the cooling and xenon gas treatment is being developed.

Her parents said she is doing well and has been taken off a ventilator.