Oxygen will save infants' lives

21% of air consists of oxygen – life is impossible without it. In human body oxygen engages in chemical reactions and plays a major role in the energy exchange between all cells. Oxygen renews all processes inside us. Often oxygen is used for premature born children, whose lungs are not open. To help these children, oxygen has to be provided of necessary temperature and humidity, otherwise it can cause negative effects. It can be solved by oxygen therapy devices, for which we collect funds.

When a child with weight of 1 000 grams is born and the child's lungs are not developed, not "open", such child can't breathe and requires the artificial lungs ventilation along with the injection of additional medicine and supplemental oxygen. Such children are treated in reanimation departments. After the child starts breathing on its own (which can happen in 4-7 days or even up to 1-2 months), its need in oxygen doesn't disappear, but now the child receives it through the mask. As usual these children are redirected to the department of second level nursing of premature children. Most common and dangerous effects of oxygen therapy are the lesions of brain, lungs and vision organs. High oxygen concentration leads to the death of nerve cells, consequently the child will suffer from lag in mental development from peers. The negative influence of oxygen on the vision organs is the retinopathy of premature, as a result of which blindness may develop.

Lungs suffer the most. They are damaged by uncontrolled oxygen concentration, lack of its adequate moisture and heating. There are ten oxygen points in our department, but we don't have at least one special apparatus, which provides the necessary oxygen concentration, heats it up and moisturizes it. We provide oxygen to kids through oxygen cans, in which the distilled water boils (something like moisturizing), and from the can to the child there is a hose, which we try to warm up. However, the doctors acknowledge that neither moisturizing nor warming or necessary oxygen concentration cannot be reached by that method...

The goal of the project is to fundraise for 2 special oxygen mixers - HC-150 for Rivne Regional Childrens' Hospital. Due to these devices the necessary oxygen concentration from 21% to 100%, as well as its temperature, flow and humidity can be obtained. So the children will receive oxygen of the correct concentration which can be controlled and corrected according to the state of the child.

It is in our hands to make malicious helpful. Together we can help our children develop and grow healthy, happy and clever. They will feel our care and sincerity, and then with their own eyes see the goodness of this world!