This article was taken from the August 2011 issue of Wired magazine. Be the first to read Wired's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by subscribing online.
It looks like a small sleeping-bag, but the Embrace infant warmer saves lives, says Jane Chen, CEO of Embrace, the non-profit company based in Bangalore, India, that developed it. According to the World Health Organisation, 20 million premature babies are born every year, many without access to an incubator. Four million die within the first 28 days; those who survive may face long-term health problems because they lack the body fat to keep warm in that crucial early period. At $200 (£123) each, the Embrace warmer offers a cheap solution that can be used in rural environments where the nearest hospital may be several hours away.
The reusable warmer can maintain body temperature for about four hours by using a pouch of phase-change wax heated to 37°C. It's already saving lives -- a pilot of ten units was launched in April for clinics near Bangalore.
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
