Our Touching Tiny Lives projects continue a proud history of Action Medical Research funding which has benefited thousands of babies and their families.

Our researchers discovered the link between folic acid and preventing spina bifida and helped developed the use of ultrasound in pregnancy.

With our funding, scientists have identified the gene responsible for a form of cleft lip and palate.

Preventing brain damage in babies

We also supported the development of an infra-red brain scanner that measures oxygen and blood in babies’ brains to help prevent brain damage during labour and delivery. Also, our researchers have successfully shown that a special cap that cools the brain can minimise brain damage in some newborn babies deprived of oxygen at birth, reducing the risk of death and severe disability.

Monitoring babies’ hearts

More recently, we supported research that has led to the development of a fetal heart monitor – the size of a mobile phone - that reads a baby’s heart beat in the womb. This innovative device can be worn by the mother monitoring and recording the heartbeat of the baby as she goes about her day. Current tests hope to prove that the monitor can enable doctors to identify problems and intervene early to save babies lives. This new device has the potential to benefit the 10% of unborn babies most at risk, a staggering 70,000 babies a year in the UK.

These exciting achievements are also crucial to the development of further studies and could have a major impact on the care of these babies in the future.

PREVIOUS SUCCESSES

The link between folic acid and preventing spina bifida

Nowadays most mums-to-be can expect to give birth to a healthy baby. This is due in no small part to increased public awareness of the things pregnant women can do to increase their chances of having a healthy child.

Folic acid may combat cleft lip and palate

Action Medical Researchers have found that pregnant women who take folic acid supplements may be doubling the health benefits for their unborn babies.

Ultrasound scanning

The fuzzy black and white image of a baby in the womb produced by ultrasound scanning is now familiar to everyone. For expectant parents it provides an exciting first glimpse of their child.

The infra-red brain scanner for babies

Just like ultrasound, the infrared brain scanner was born out of military technology. Originally developed to read oxygen levels in the brains of babies in neonatal intensive care, the scanner employs infra-red technology first used by the armed forces to guide missiles, and optical fibres used to carry telephone signals.

Go to the get involved or giving sections to find out how you can help, or make a donation now.