The Incubator

Send us a textSteve Falk from GE Healthcare reviews with us how premature babies gain and lose heat through conduction, convection, radiation, and evaporation, and discover the challenges these tiny fighters face in maintaining their temperature balance. We also discuss the evolution of thermal regulation and share unique methods used to keep babies warm, including hugging incubators and the power of skin-to-skin contact.In the second segment, we dive into the engineering marvels behind incubators. We discuss the nitty gritty things, portholes, air boost features, and the significance of the double-walled doors and side panels. You'll also hear about the vital role of clinical feedback in the development of new products, and how this has shaped the design of GE Healthcare's innovative Giraffe OmniBed. The concept of the 'golden hour' is also discussed, revealing how this crucial period can be managed to ensure optimal thermal regulation.This mini series is kindly sponsored by GE Healthcare.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 textJoin us for a discussion with neonatal trainee, Dr. Emma Dunne, from the esteemed Royal College of Physicians in Ireland. Her experience and research findings pave the way for an enlightening conversation where Dr. Dunne unveils her surprising findings on delayed cord clamping and its link to hypothermia in preterm neonates. Find out more about the Apollo PB trial and its implications, and delve into the importance of thermal care in neonatology. Dr. Dunne's experiences navigating the complexities of collaboration between obstetrics and neonatology give us a glimpse into the multi-layered nature of this field. In the latter part of our conversation, we delve into the potential risks and rewards of continuous temperature monitoring in neonatal care. Dr. Dunne's research raises some thought-provoking questions about the thermometers we often use and their impact on thermal regulation in neonates. From exploring interventions that could potentially enhance temperature control in neonates, our discussion is packed with insightful knowledge. 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 textMeet Jessica Jones, a nurse practitioner who's story is one of championing improvement, constant growth, and a relentless pursuit of understanding the "why" behind things in neonatology. With a passion for quality and research Jessica's journey gives a new meaning to the role of nurses in healthcare.Our conversation with Jessica centers around the critical role of thermal regulation in neonatal care. She reflects on how nurses can assert their autonomy, contribute to patient outcomes, and impact their teams positively. Unraveling the complex task of improving thermal regulation, we discuss the balancing act between perfection and progress. Jessica provides a unique perspective on the importance of a systemized approach to maintain a baby's temperature effectively.The episode concludes by underlining the role of education and empowerment in nursing practices. Jessica enlightens us about how hospital management support can help nurses pursue further education, improve team communication, and enhance their confidence. We end with a deep dive into the importance of familiarizing with equipment for effective thermal regulation in neonatal care. Get ready to be inspired and enlightened by Jessica's insights on the ever-evolving realm of neonatology!This mini series is kindly sponsored by GE HealthcareAs 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 textJoin us as we dive into the vital world of neonatal thermal regulation with our esteemed guest, Dr Daniel Trevisanuto. We unpack the critical role thermal regulation plays in newborn survival and address potential comorbidities that can arise from mismanagement. Highlighting important results from a recent multi-center randomized control trial, we reveal an urgent need for improved thermal regulation practices.As the conversation unfolds, we grapple with the complexities of keeping newborns at the optimal temperature, emphasizing the importance of team education. Our discourse takes you through the journey of how a vigilant team can spot the critical moment of a newborn's temperature drop. We also dissect a study on servo-controlled temperature and its implications, shedding light on why technology alone cannot be relied upon for maintaining ideal temperatures in newborns.In the final segment, we delve into the world of low birth weight infants and the significance of normothermia. Dr Trevisanuto, with his extensive experience in low-resource settings, brings to the fore the harsh reality of hypothermia and its impact on newborn mortality rates. We discuss the comparative effectiveness of different bag materials, asserting the need for strategic approaches for gold standard thermal regulation. Throughout this enlightening dialogue, we drive home the importance of team education and a comprehensive understanding of technology's role in neonatal thermal regulation. Prepare for a deep understanding of the importance of thermoregulation in newborns and the essential strategies for success in this field.This mini series is kindly sponsored by GE HealthcareAs 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 opening episode of our mini series on Thermoregulation we welcome to the show Dr. John Ibrahim, neonatologist and assistant professor of pediatrics in the newborn medicine division at UPMC.Dr. Ibrahim takes us on an enlightening journey, starting from the rudimentary practices of using shoeboxes and ovens to the modern pre-warmed incubators in keeping babies warm. We also explore the significant disparity between low and middle-income countries and the highest resource settings regarding thermal regulation during skin-to-skin care for newborns. The conversation highlights how this seemingly simple practice can have profound impacts and the critical role physicians and providers play in this process.Moving further, we dive into the intricacies of maintaining a baby's temperature during resuscitation, the responsibilities during this critical Golden Hour, and the harsh realities of hypothermia. Simultaneously, we acknowledge the power of education and technology in revolutionizing neonatal care. From setting up a resuscitation table to the impact of cold IV fluids on a baby's temperature, Dr. Ibrahim shares invaluable insights. As we conclude, we tackle the challenges of keeping babies warm during transport and the importance of effective communication among the NICU team. Don't miss out on this captivating conversation - it's a deep insight into the crucial, but often overlooked, aspect of newborn care.This mini-series is kindly sponsored by GE Healthcare.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 textEver wonder what it's like to transport a neonate across the globe in the high-stakes environment of military medicine? Three military neonatologists, Drs. Laura Borruso, Mike Guindon, and Liz Okonek, here to offer a rare glimpse into this challenging and vital aspect of their work. Transporting such fragile patients is far from easy, fraught with challenges around temperature regulation, resource allocation, and the use of equipment not approved for aircrafts. Listen in to learn how they overcome these hurdles while ensuring the safety and wellbeing of their young charges.The distance between military and civilian transports is further than one might expect, not just geographically, but also in terms of the costs involved, the planning required, and the specialized expertise needed. Our expert guests share how they navigate these unique challenges, from the paradox of opportunity costs to the absolute necessity of bringing extra supplies. They also delve into the critical strategies for maintaining a baby's vitals during these intense journeys.Lastly, join our neonatologists as they explore the daunting challenges of high-altitude medical transport, dealing with potential complications such as hypoxia and the crucial importance of communication and collaboration within their teams. Hear about the camaraderie they build during these missions and gain an appreciation for the extraordinary lengths the US military goes to ensure the safe transport of patients. This is a side of neonatology and military service that you won't want to miss. 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!

Daphna, an expert in neonatal literature, joins Dr. Ben Korsha in this episode of Journal Club. They discuss topics such as feeding protocols in premature infants, treatment of pneumonia in the NICU, transcatheter closure of the PDA, and challenges faced by academic neonatologists. They also touch on probiotic products, clinical findings in pneumonia and sepsis, and high expectations in neonatal units.

Send us a text 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 text 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 textHave you ever pondered over the fact that academic neonatologists are battling a tsunami of challenges? From soaring workloads and acuity to anemic compensation and fleeting clinical time, the hardship they face is as real as it gets. Join us as we peel back the layers on the reasons behind the dwindling interest in this vital field. Added to that, we'll explore the effects of ever-mounting demands of research, education, documentation, and the high cost of living in some areas on these healthcare professionals.  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!