When your child needs life-saving care, you can count on us. Our extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) program provides care that allows your child’s heart and lungs to rest while awaiting surgery, recovering from surgery, or healing from an infection.

Since 1991, our experienced and dedicated team has delivered high-quality care and support for infants, children, adolescents, and young adults (from birth to age 21) who need ECMO. Here, your child and family are at the center of our care. We’ll guide you through every step of your child’s treatment so you feel confident, comfortable, and empowered to help us care for your child.

What is Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO)?

ECMO is a form of heart and lung bypass that provides heart and lung support for infants and children with heart and lung failure, or for those that do not respond to other medical treatments.

Why Does My Child Need ECMO?

There are many different reasons your child may need ECMO. We use ECMO to treat and manage:

  • Acute lung injuries
  • Congenital diaphragmatic hernia
  • Congenital heart disease
  • Drowning, burns or trauma
  • Healing from surgery
  • Meconium aspiration syndrome
  • Persistent pulmonary hypertension
  • Pneumonia/aspiration syndromes
  • Pulmonary hemorrhage
  • Sepsis

Why Choose Us for Your Child’s ECMO Care

When you and your child are at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, you are part of our family. Our team will guide you through every step, day, and decision of your child’s treatment plan.  And, just as important, you can count on our team to provide extraordinary, proven care.

Our team has cared for hundreds of children in need of ECMO treatment since our program began in 1991.
Since 2008, we are designated an Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) Center of Excellence — meeting ELSO’s strict criteria for care, quality, education, safety, and training.

But what sets us apart is our commitment to personalized care. Every child who needs ECMO has a dedicated ECMO specialist — a care team member with specialized training on how to care for the ECMO circuit, and who sits next to your child’s bedside at all times. Your child’s dedicated ECMO specialist will be there to answer your questions, update you on any changes, and help you understand what is happening at every stage of treatment.

We also take the time to educate and empower you, so you feel comfortable and confident caring for your child while they’re on ECMO — from holding their hand to talking with them to creating lasting bonds.