New device lets 7-year-old avoid hospital trips for injections

A small breathing-guidance device means seven-year-old Vega can now receive her arthritis injections at home instead of travelling to hospital every two weeks, DR reports.

Vega, who was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis at age four, used to travel with her family from Børkop to Odense University Hospital for the injections. The device, called BiBi, guides children to breathe in and out using cycling lights.

BiBi was tested at H.C. Andersen Children’s Hospital, part of Odense University Hospital, for children who previously needed nitrous oxide when receiving medication. Vega says the device helps her focus on something else and feel calmer. Staying home also means she misses fewer school activities.

Her mother, Tanja Sejerup, says the change has made family life easier. They no longer need to plan holidays around hospital visits, and Vega does not need nitrous oxide for her injections or blood tests.

The project ran from January to June this year, and its results will now be evaluated. Project nurse Christina Granhøj Nielsen said the original aim was to help children feel calmer during injections at the hospital, rather than enable them to receive treatment at home.