Infant incubator market

Infant incubator is a device used for pre-matured infants, which are born before 37 weeks of pregnancy period. These pre-termed infants undergo several complications as their body temperature is low, i.e., they cannot regulate the temperature of their body when born hence, have a high risk with respect to external environment, various infections, and breathing problems that can lead to death. Incubators protect premature infants by providing them the required environment. They are small box-like structures that contain small bed and an attached trolley. These boxes are generally made of glass except the top is covered by rigid plastic.

Infant Incubator Market Drivers

Increasing number of premature infants is expected to boost the global infant incubator market growth over the forecast period. For instance, according to World Health Organization’s (WHO) report, 2018, around 15 million infants are born in a pre-mature state worldwide annually. The report also states that prematurity is one of the major contributors of infant mortality rate worldwide. The rate of babies born in a pre-mature state ranges from 5% - 8% in 184 countries.

Increasing number of studies are focused on advancements in infant incubator, which is expected to support the global infant incubator market growth over the forecast period. For instance, in March 2019, a group of researchers from Northwestern University and the Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago developed wireless sensors and biosensors for monitoring vital signs with regards to contact of mother and child in replacement of wires that are used in incubator. According to the researchers, skin-to-skin contact between mother and child decreases the risk of pulmonary complications and liver infections. Implementation of such technologies in products available in the market is expected to support global infant incubator market growth over the forecast period.

Infant Incubator Market Regional Analysis

North America is expected to hold dominant position in the global infant incubator market over the forecast period. This is owing to presence of major market players such as GE Healthcare, Natus Medical Corporation, and UTAH Medical Products Inc in the region. Moreover, potential customer base and initiatives of governments and several organizations (non-profit, and others) to increase the awareness about consistent rise in birth rate of premature infants is expected to support growth of the North America infant incubator market. For instance, March of Dime – a non-profit organization in the U.S. — celebrates November as a prematurity awareness month annually.

Moreover, Europe is expected to be the second largest market for infant incubator over the forecast period. Key players in the market are focused on participating and organizing conferences related to pre-mature birth. For instance, in March 2017, Inspiration Healthcare (U.K.-based manufacturer) sponsored a Neo-Resus conference held in the U.K. which was about neonatal resuscitation (reviving infants from unconsciousness or apparent death). These factors are expected to support the global infant incubator market growth over the forecast period.

Infant Incubator Market Restraint

High cost of infant incubator is expected to hinder the global infant incubator market growth over the forecast period. Manufacturers in the market are focused on offering technologically advanced (such as pressure diffusing mattresses and disposable skin probes) products in the market. This factor further adds to the final prices of these products. For instance, incubator may cost anywhere between US$ 600 to US$ 6,500 (GE Healthcare’s incubator costs around US$ 6,210). This factor may restrain the global infant incubator market growth in developing countries in regions such as Africa, Asia Pacific, and Latin America.

Infant Incubator Key Players

Some of the major players operating in global infant incubator market include, GE Healthcare, Atom Medical Corporation, Natus Medical Incorporated, Bistos Co. Ltd., Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA, UTAH Medical Products Inc., and Inspiration Healthcare Group plc.

Infant Incubator Market Taxonomy

The global infant incubator market is segmented by product type, by modality, by applications, by end user, and by region.

By Product Type:

• Portable
• Non-portable

By Modality:

• Open Box Type
• Close Box Type

By Application:

• Pre-maturity
• Neonatal Hypothermia
• Lower Birth Rate
• Others
• Congenital Diseases

By End User:

• Hospitals
• Neonatal Intensive Care Units
• Post Natal Care Wards
• Maternity Centers

By Region

• North America
• Europe
• Latin America
• Asia Pacific
• Middle East
• Africa