The Incubator

Dr. Barbara Schmidt, a professor at McMaster University and a pioneer in neonatology, discusses critical advancements in neonatal research. She highlights the necessity of long-term follow-up for high-risk infants and critiques adaptive trial designs. Dr. Schmidt explores the expanding role of caffeine therapy, emphasizing its potential benefits beyond its traditional use. The conversation underscores the importance of evidence-based practices in improving outcomes for newborns and the value of in-person collaboration in the medical community.

Dr. Dieter Wolke, a professor of developmental psychology at the University of Warwick, sheds light on the life course outcomes of preterm infants. He discusses how early neonatal experiences shape later independence and social integration. The conversation dives deep into the effects of overprotective parenting and highlights the significance of individualized support. Dr. Wolke challenges traditional views on preterm children, advocating for a nuanced understanding of their resilience and well-being throughout life.

Send us a textIn this episode, Ben and Daphna are joined by Dr. Vishal Kapadia, neonatologist at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, to discuss oxygen use in the delivery room and the “Goldilocks principle” of finding the right balance—not too much, not too little. Dr. Kapadia shares insights from his research on oxygen targets, the challenges of defining evidence-based practices, and the role of personalized care for preterm and term infants. With emerging studies and ongoing trials, this conversation sheds light on how precision in oxygen delivery can impact neonatal outcomes.As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below. Enjoy!

Send us a textIn this episode, Ben and Daphna welcome back Dr. Ola Didrik Saugstad, professor at the University of Oslo and a leading expert on oxygen therapy in neonatology. Dr. Saugstad discusses the complexities of determining the optimal initial FIO2 for preterm infants in the delivery room. He highlights findings from recent studies, including his work on the Net Motion study, and shares evidence-informed recommendations while emphasizing the importance of oxygen titration. The conversation underscores the critical first minutes of life and their impact on neonatal outcomes.As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below. Enjoy!

Send us a textIn this episode, Ben and Daphna sit down with Dr. Cindy McEvoy, professor of pediatrics and director of neonatal research at Oregon Health & Science University, to discuss optimizing lung development in preterm infants. Dr. McEvoy shares insights from her research on the benefits of prolonged CPAP use in preterm infants, showing how it supports lung growth, improves alveolar volume, and enhances pulmonary function. She emphasizes the importance of education and proper CPAP application to maximize benefits while debunking myths about weaning protocols. This conversation highlights the potential of targeted respiratory strategies to improve long-term outcomes.As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below. Enjoy!

Send us a textIn this episode, Ben and Daphna chat with Dr. Brynne Sullivan, neonatologist and associate professor at the University of Virginia, about her groundbreaking work in predictive analytics and AI-powered early warning systems for neonatal sepsis. Dr. Sullivan discusses the potential of AI to enhance neonatal care by identifying patterns in physiologic data, enabling timely interventions. She shares insights on integrating AI into clinical practice, building collaborative teams, and navigating institutional support for innovative approaches. This engaging conversation highlights the transformative impact of AI on quality improvement and neonatal care.As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below. Enjoy!

In this engaging discussion, Dr. Reese H. Clark, a research consultant and associate professor at Duke University, dives into the revolutionary impact of big data and electronic medical records on neonatal care. He shares compelling insights from his research on neonatal issues like fungal sepsis and chronic lung disease. Dr. Clark stresses the importance of understanding data variability and the ethical responsibility to leverage this data for better patient outcomes, showcasing the transformative potential of data-driven strategies in improving neonatal health.

Send us a textIn this episode, Ben and Daphna reconnect with Betsy Pilon, Executive Director of Hope for HIE, to explore the unique challenges and opportunities for families with full-term infants in the NICU. Betsy highlights unmet needs, including better communication, inclusive language, and actionable quality improvement initiatives like guidelines for holding and feeding during cooling therapy. She emphasizes the importance of inclusive family engagement and awareness of diagnosis-specific resources. This discussion sheds light on the full-term NICU experience, empowering clinicians to improve support and care for these often-overlooked families.As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below. Enjoy!

Join a thought-provoking discussion on the future of neonatal care! Experts explore the integration of data and AI into quality improvement. Learn how engaging families can transform healthcare outcomes. They emphasize the importance of teamwork and collaboration, sharing innovative communication strategies to bridge gaps. Reflect on actionable insights that promise to enhance standards in neonatology. This engaging conversation is packed with inspiration and practical approaches to improving care for the tiniest patients.

Send us a textIn this episode, Ben and Daphna welcome Dr. Sheri Nemerofsky, MD, FAAP, Medical Director of Newborn Services at Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, to discuss quality improvement (QI) initiatives for full-term newborns. Dr. Nemerofsky highlights the often-overlooked opportunities in newborn nurseries, sharing insights from her projects on improving hepatitis B vaccination timing, RSV immunization, and safe sleep education. She also explores universal G6PD screening as an equity-focused initiative and emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary teamwork in QI efforts. This engaging conversation underscores the potential to optimize care for full-term newborns through innovative QI strategies.As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below. Enjoy!