13 September 2000

Ninewells only UK hospital with Hi-tech "baby box"

Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, will be the first British hospital to get high-tech equipment used on the Continent to monitor babies with respiratory problems.

The hospital has just taken delivery of the infant plethysmograph, a sophisticated machine built by German company Jaeger that measures lung function and growth in infants and young children. Dundee's machine will be one of only four in the world. The infant plethysmograph will provide doctors treating children from birth, including premature babies, to the age of two years old with information vital for clinical research and treatment. Understanding how the lungs are growing and working is essential for the early treatment of, among other diseases, cystic fibrosis and severe asthma.

Consultant paediatrician Dr Somnath Mukhopadhyay says: "This sophisticated instrument is already helping research and clinical practice in specialist clinics in Germany, France and Austria. We're delighted to be able to bring this technology to Scotland, and intend to share this resource with our colleagues on a national basis."

The plethysmograph will be based within the Tayside Institute of Child Health (TICH), part of the University of Dundee, and well known for its research into the respiratory problems of children. Dr Mukhopadhyay believes the new machine will contribute to the research team's knowledge of the effect of respiratory medicines on young lungs.

He said: "This is an area that needs urgent attention, as doctors are forced to use medicines on the respiratory tract of infants and young children without having enough information on how this affects them in the long run. Children are not small adults, so it is very important that research is done on drugs intended for children before they are made available generally.

"The infant plethysmograph will help make this a reality for Scotland."

Chief executive of TUHT, Paul White welcomed the new machine saying: "We are delighted to have this leading edge technology available in Ninewells for the children of Tayside and Fife and beyond if needed. It underlines the fact that we have world class staff and facilities here of which we all can be proud."

The infant plethysmograph looks like an incubator. The child lies inside it and the machine measures practically every aspect of breathing, lung and chest movements. These measurements can then be used to predict individual aspects of lung function, thanks to specialised software programs.

The infant plethysmograph is linked via modem to the German manufacturer, Jaeger. This enables the company to dial into the machine in Dundee to service it or assist clinicians using it should they have a query.

TICH's plethysmograph costs £40,000 and will be operated by specially trained nurses and doctors. The money was raised by Dr Mukhopadhyay and other clinicians for the University of Dundee from various charities, including Tenovus Scotland, the Anonymous Trust and from Scottish Enterprise Tayside, which believes that having the equipment and developing the appropriate skills in Dundee could boost the ability of the respiratory specialists in Dundee to take part in international trials.

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Media enquiries: Maya Anaokar for TUHT Tel: 01382 561571 Mobile 07808 713397

Notes for Editors The Jaeger infant plethysmograph has been developed in conjunction with NHS clinicians. An older style plethysmograph is available at hospitals in London and Leicester.

Dr Mukhopadhyay is available to talk to reporters about the infant plethysmograph and how it will be used. Please contact Maya Anaokar to arrange interviews.