The Incubator The Incubator

In this episode of The Incubator podcast, hosts Ben Courchia and Daphna Yasova Barbeau interview Professor Ola Didrik Saugstad, a pioneer in neonatology research from Norway. Professor Saugstad shares his journey of discovering hypoxanthine as a biochemical marker of asphyxia in newborns and his groundbreaking work on resuscitating babies with room air instead of 100% oxygen. He explains how his research challenged the long-standing dogma of using pure oxygen for resuscitation, despite initial skepticism from the medical community. Through his perseverance and collaboration with international researchers, Professor Saugstad's findings eventually led to a paradigm shift in neonatal resuscitation guidelines worldwide. He emphasizes the importance of being open to new ideas, conducting rigorous studies, and fostering teamwork in research. The conversation also touches on the challenges of conducting clinical trials in an era of increasing complexity and the need for ongoing international collaboration to address unanswered questions in neonatology, particularly regarding optimal oxygen use in preterm infants. Professor Saugstad's inspiring story highlights the impact that dedicated researchers can have on improving care for the most vulnerable patients.
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.
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In this episode, Dr. Nkuranga and Dr. Hadfield discuss their journey into neonatology and their current roles in Rwanda's healthcare system. They also discuss the development of the Neonatal-Perinatal Fellowship Program in Rwanda and the collaborations and stakeholder involvement that were required to establish the program. They also share their experiences of living and working in Rwanda, as well as the challenges of balancing work and family. The conversations concludes with advice for individuals in leadership positions and an invitation for collaboration
Episode address:  https://www.the-incubator.org/post/202-Global-Neo-Pod-Starting-a-Neonatal-Perinatal-Medicine-Fellowship-in-Rwanda
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 packed episode of The Incubator, Daphna and I dive into a diverse range topics. We start by discussing a compelling article on bilirubin encephalopathy, exploring the relationship between unbound bilirubin levels and the severity of acute bilirubin encephalopathy in late preterm and term infants. Next, we review a study on the long-term neurodevelopmental and respiratory outcomes of infants with varying grades of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), emphasizing the importance of considering BPD severity in follow-up studies. We then shift gears to discuss the impact of early milk expression on milk quantity in mothers of very preterm infants, highlighting the significance of pumping within the first six hours after birth. We also touch on a recent study investigating the potential link between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and the risk of autism, ADHD, and intellectual disability in children. Additionally, we explore the safety and potential neuroprotective effects of caffeine in infants with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) undergoing therapeutic hypothermia. We also briefly mention studies on the association between time to regain birth weight and neurodevelopmental outcomes in extremely preterm infants, as well as the use of vibratory stimulation to mitigate pain responses during skin-breaking procedures in neonates. Join us for this informative and wide-ranging discussion on the latest research in 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 episode of the Tech Tuesday podcast, Dr. Yamile C. Jackson, CEO of Nurtured by Design, shares her journey from an engineer to an innovator in the neonatal care space, inspired by her son Zach's premature birth and the challenges she faced in the NICU. Focused on improving the NICU experience for both infants and their families, Yamile developed the Zaky Hug and Zaki Zak, tools designed to provide comfort, support, and safety to hospitalized infants. The conversation dives deep into the concept of kangaroo care, its benefits for premature babies, and how Yamile’s products facilitate this essential practice. By blending personal narrative with practical innovation, the episode illuminates the power of parental touch and involvement in neonatal care, underscoring the need for hospitals to adopt more family-centered approaches. This inspiring story not only showcases Yamile's commitment to enhancing neonatal care but also encourages healthcare professionals to recognize the profound impact of integrating human elements into medical 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 episode of the Incubator Podcast, Daphna Barbeau and Ben Courchia are joined by Dr. Rachel Fleishman, a neonatologist, writer, and advocate for narrative medicine in neonatal care. Dr. Fleishman shares her journey in discovering the power of storytelling and its potential to humanize and transform the NICU experience for providers, patients, and families alike. She discusses the importance of listening beyond the numbers and medical jargon to truly understand and empathize with the stories of those involved in neonatal care. Dr. Fleishman also explores the role of writing as a tool for personal reflection, healing, and advocacy, emphasizing the value of embracing creativity in medicine. The conversation delves into the challenges and rewards of bridging the gap between the analytical world of medicine and the humanistic approach of narrative, ultimately highlighting the transformative potential of storytelling in the NICU. The episode concludes with an exciting announcement of a collaborative project between Dr. Fleishman and the Incubator Podcast, aimed at fostering a community of neonatal storytellers and showcasing their powerful narratives at the upcoming Delphi Neonatal Innovation Conference.
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 episode of The Incubator podcast, we reflect on our recent visit to Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. They discuss the welcoming atmosphere and the impressive cohesion among the hospital staff, from the division chief to the fellows and coordinators. We also review a recent JAMA paper on the timing of inguinal hernia repair in preterm infants, highlighting the study's findings and implications for practice.
The main focus of the episode is the upcoming Delphi Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on September 23-25, 2024. We discuss the conference's unique features, including the NSU Art Museum venue, workshops on point-of-care ultrasound, leveraging AI tools, unit design, and writing and reflection in the NICU. They also introduce the Neonatal Brainiacs trivia competition for fellowship programs and the pitch presentation session for sharing innovative ideas.
Additionally, We announce a special storytelling night during the conference's welcome event, featuring author and neonatologist Dr. Rachel Fleishman. They emphasize the conference's intimate and approachable atmosphere, encouraging attendees to reach out with any questions or concerns. The episode concludes with a reminder about the recently released episodes of the Neonatology Review Podcast and the successful launch of the Beyond the Beeps podcast.
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!