Application of Three-Dimensional Printing in Maternity and Pediatric Nursing Care

Thre e-dimensional (3D) printing is an emerging technology that expanded quickly into a diverse array of clinical applications over the last decade. 3D printing, often called additive manufacturing, uses specialized printers to create objects through the addition of materials layer-by-layer. Using computer-aided design software via a 3D scanner or a digital camera, objects can be printed to highly precise and specific dimensions. This technology, including both the hardware and software, has applications in surgical procedures, dental implants and crowns, pharmaceuticals, and biomedical products. With the enormous potential of using 3D printing in multiple health care sectors, there is still limited usage for this technology in maternal and child health nursing practice. We provide an overview of 3D printing technology, review the current health care applications, and explore the opportunities and challenges of 3D printing in maternal and child nursing.