The Incubator

Send us a textIn this episode, Dr. Jonathan Blau discusses the evidence for probiotics in the prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). He explains that the history of probiotics in neonatology spans almost 20 years, with meta-analyses showing a significant reduction in NEC rates. The pathophysiology of NEC is related to dysbiosis in premature infants, and probiotics aim to restore a healthy microbiome. The use of probiotics varies internationally, with Europe and Canada having higher rates of use compared to the United States. Dr. Blau also discusses the optimal study design for probiotics and the potential benefits beyond NEC prevention. 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, Dr. Jonathan Blau discusses the FDA warning on probiotics and its implications for the future of probiotic use in the NICU. He expresses mixed feelings about the FDA's involvement and highlights the need for regulation while also expressing concerns about the way the warning was issued. The debate between single-strain and multi-strain probiotics is also discussed, with Dr. Blau emphasizing the importance of using the triple strain recommended by ESPAGAN and AAP. He shares his experiences with rolling out probiotics in his NICU, including the decision-making process and the involvement of different disciplines. The administration and preparation of probiotics, as well as the consent and assent process, are also explored. Dr. Blau concludes by discussing the outcomes of probiotic use in his NICU and the ethical considerations surrounding the use of probiotics. 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, Dr. Jonathan Swanson discusses the evolution of neonatal nutrition and the major tenants of neonatal nutrition that have been learned over the years. He emphasizes the importance of breast milk and the role it plays in neurodevelopment and short-term outcomes. Dr. Swanson also explores the impact of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) on neonatal nutrition and the efforts to prevent NEC through good nutrition and optimizing homeostasis. The conversation then delves into the role of the maternal-fetal dyad in preparing the infant microbiome and the potential for probiotics to re-regulate the microbiome. The discussion concludes with a focus on the challenges and opportunities surrounding the use of probiotics in the NICU, including the role of families in decision-making and the impact of FDA regulations. 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 of the Incubator Podcast, Ben and Daphna discuss maternal mental health with Maureen Fiora, CEO of Mammha, a femtech startup aimed at revolutionizing maternal mental health care. Mammha focuses on addressing postpartum and perinatal depression by improving identification, diagnosis, referral, and treatment processes. Maureen shared her personal journey, highlighting the significant gaps in current healthcare systems regarding maternal mental health, emphasizing that less than 20% of physicians screen for these conditions. She detailed how Mammha streamlines screening with technology and ensures that women who screen positive receive comprehensive follow-up care, overcoming the usual fragmentation in care pathways.The conversation also touched on the importance of screening in NICUs due to the heightened vulnerability of parents there, with Mammha capturing significant data on both mothers and fathers experiencing mental health issues. Maureen explained how Mammha operates, starting with provider-initiated screening using QR codes and validated tools, to engaging care coordinators for immediate follow-up. The company's success stories include partnerships and awards for their innovative approach to closing care gaps, especially among underserved populations.Mammha's model has significantly increased engagement and follow-up care for screened parents, showcasing a promising pathway to better maternal mental health outcomes. Maureen's background in policy and advocacy, combined with personal experience, positions her uniquely to lead this initiative, aiming to make a tangible difference in the lives of parents navigating the challenges of mental health during the perinatal period. 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!

Dive into neonatal cardiac care with Dr. Nim Goldshtrom, discussing specialized training, technology like NIRS, genetic screening challenges, and future directions in the field. Learn about the journey of a pediatric cardiac care specialist, the structure of a neonatal cardiac ICU, and advancements in care for fragile patients.

This podcast covers the latest research in neonatology including topics like temperature monitoring during therapeutic hypothermia, neonatal outcomes after COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy, and the increase in maternal syphilis rates. They also discuss studies on therapeutic hypothermia for preterm infants and the impact of innovative monitoring devices in improving neonatal care.

Send us a textEsophageal versus Rectal Temperature Monitoring during Whole-body Therapeutic Hypothermia for Hypoxic-ischemic Encephalopathy: Association with Short and Long-term Outcomes. Wu TW, Schmicker R, Wood TR, Mietzsch U, Comstock B, Heagerty PJ, Rao R, Gonzalez F, Juul S, Wu YW.J Pediatr. 2024 Feb 1:113933. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2024.113933. Online ahead of print.PMID: 38309524 Free article. 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 textEffect of human milk-based fortification in extremely preterm infants fed exclusively with breast milk: a randomised controlled trial. Jensen, G. B., Domellöf, M., Ahlsson, F., Elfvin, A., Navér, L., & Abrahamsson, T. eClinicalMedicine (2023).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 textEBNEO Commentary: De-MIST-ifying the 2-year outcomes of non-invasive surfactant therapy. Loft L, Ferguson KN, Tingay DG.Acta Paediatr. 2024 Jan 25. doi: 10.1111/apa.17116. Online ahead of print.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!

Dr. Eliza Myers, an academic neonatologist, discusses her passion for combining art and medicine, the development of the Track My Milk app, and the challenges of collaboration in medicine. She explores the impact of technology on research, the importance of parent engagement, and the potential of artificial intelligence in healthcare.