The FDA has approved a new product called LifeVest, a wearable defibrillator that can be work for children as young as eight, and could save the lives of people who suffer from a risk of sudden cardiac arrest.

The device is aimed at filling in the gap for kids who suffer from the condition but aren't able to have a pacemaker implanted because of other medical conditions.

"The pediatric medical community is often forced to use adult devices off-label without appropriate labeling or instructions for use in pediatric patients," said Dr. Vasum Peiris, Chief Medical Officer of pediatrics at the FDA Center for Devices and Radiological Health, in a statement. "Doctors now have important information that may help them safely prescribe this life-saving device to young patients who may benefit from the device."

LifeVest, made by a company called Zoll, is basically made up of an electrode belt that goes around the patient's chest and is worn under their clothing. If the vest detects an arrhythmia, or an irregular heartbeat, it delivers a life-saving shock to restore the rhythm back to normal.

While LifeVest was approved in its earlier form way back in 2001, its latest clearance is the first for children.

In the case of children, the wearer of the vest has to weigh more than 41 pounds and have a 26-inch chest circumference or greater. Basically, the average eight-year-old can wear it. While there are other automatic defibrillators for children, the LifeVest is the first to offer continuous heart monitoring.

Via: Digital Trends