The Incubator – Details, episodes & analysis

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In this episode of Journal Club, Ben and Daphna discuss several recent neonatal studies. They begin with a paper from Pediatrics examining variability in care practices for extremely early deliveries (22-24 weeks gestation), highlighting changes over time and persistent differences between centers. They also review a commentary on important questions raised by these variations in care.

The hosts then analyze a study on the use of inhaled nitric oxide in preterm infants, discussing its effectiveness, costs, and potential overuse. They cover a paper on monocyte count trends as a potential diagnostic tool for necrotizing enterocolitis.

A special segment features Dr. Jane Stremming discussing a New England Journal of Medicine study on nutritional support for moderate to late preterm infants. The hosts also touch on new treatments for hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn, and surfactant use in infants who develop bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

The episode concludes with an ethical case study about a father's unexpected request to withdraw care for his preterm infant, emphasizing the importance of understanding families' perspectives in complex medical decisions.

Support the show

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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Beyond the Question: Reexamining a Parent's Unusual Request.

Callahan KP, Narva A, Stoller JZ, Fiester A.Pediatrics. 2024 Aug 1;154(2):e2023064954. doi: 10.1542/peds.2023-064954.PMID: 39040023

Support the show

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 of The Incubator podcast, hosts Ben Courchia and Daphna Barbeau welcome Dr. David Askenazi and Dr. Tara Beck to discuss neonatal nephrology. The conversation explores the challenges of defining and diagnosing acute kidney injury (AKI) in newborns, highlighting the variability in nephron numbers at birth and the complexities of interpreting creatinine levels in the first days of life.

The guests discuss the long-term effects of neonatal AKI, the importance of follow-up care, and strategies for supporting kidney health in the NICU and beyond. They emphasize the need for a partnership between neonatology and nephrology to improve outcomes.

Dr. Askenazi introduces the Neonatal Kidney Collaborative (NKC), explaining its mission to advance research, education, and advocacy in neonatal nephrology. Dr. Beck shares her experience as a trainee involved with the NKC, highlighting the mentorship opportunities available.

The episode concludes with a look towards the future of neonatal nephrology research, including potential therapies and the evolving approach to renal replacement therapy in newborns. This informative discussion provides valuable insights for both neonatologists and nephrologists caring for vulnerable newborns.

Support the show

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 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.

Support the show

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 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.

Support the show

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 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.

Support the show

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!

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One NICU mother’s story of resilience in the face of her baby’s multiple medical procedures.

In this conversation, Leah interviews Katia Herminio, a mother of a former 24-week preemie who spent almost four months in the NICU. They discuss Katia's unexpected preterm birth experience, the procedures and surgeries her son underwent, the challenges of breastfeeding, and the setbacks they faced. Katia shares her first time holding her baby, the power of hope, and the strength and resilience she found during their NICU journey. She emphasizes the importance of relying on nurses and doctors to help understand the NICU and having faith in the process.

Support the show

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!

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In this episode, Ben and Daphna review the latest research on neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, optimistic vs. pessimistic prognostic communication, endotracheal tube sizing, intimate partner violence screening, and congenital CMV outcomes. They also welcome back James Roberts, the founder of the MOM Incubator, to discuss the progress and impact of his innovative mobile incubator system.

Support the show

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 of “At the Bench”, we are interviewing one of our show’s co-hosts, Dr. David McCulley. David is a neonatologist and developmental biologist at the University of California, San Diego and in this show he talks about what motivated him to build a research program investigating the genetic and developmental mechanisms responsible for congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). David directs an NIH-supported study to determine the genetic mechanisms responsible for abnormal lung and pulmonary vascular development in patients with CDH. He describes the mentorship and collaborative research experiences that have shaped his career path. David also talks about the work that he is doing along with the Society for Pediatric Research and the co-hosts of this program, Dr. Misty Good and Dr. Betsy Crouch, to encourage and promote pediatric physician-scientist career development.

Some highlighted papers:

 Stokes, G., Li, Z., Talaba, N., Genthe, W., Brix, M.B., Pham, B., Wienhold, M.D., Sandok, G., Hernan, R., Wynn, J., Tang, H., Tabima, D.M., Rodgers, A., Hacker, T.A., Chesler, N.C., Zhang, P., Murad, R., Yuan, J.X., Shen, Y., Chung, W.K., McCulley, D.J. Rescuing lung development through embryonic inhibition of histone acetylation. Science Translational Medicine. 2024 Jan 31;16(732). Epub 2024 Jan 31. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38295182/

Qiao, L., Wynn, J., Yu, L., Hernan, R., Zhou, X., Duron, V., Aspelund, G., Farkouh-Karoleski, C., Zygumunt, A., Krishnan, U.S., Nees, S., Khlevner, J., Lim, F.Y., Crombleholme, T., Cusick, R., Azarow, K., Danko, M.E., Chung, D., Warner, B.W., Mychaliska, G.B., Potoka, D., Wagner, A.J., Soffer, S., Schindel, D., McCulley, D.J., Shen, Y., Chung, W.K. Likely damaging de novo variants in congenital diaphragmatic hernia patients are associated with worse clinical outcomes. Genetics in Medicine. 2020 Dec;22(12):2020-2028. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32719394/

McCulley, D.J., Wienhold, M.D., Hines, E.A., Hacker, T.A., Rogers, A., Pewowaruk, R.J., Zewdu, R. Chesler, N.C., Selleri, L., Sun, X. PBX transcription factors drive pulmonary vascular adaptation to birth. Journal of Clinical Investigation. 2018 Feb 1;128(2):655-667. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29251627/

Kardon, G., Ackerman, K., McCulley, D.J., Shen, Y., Wynn, J., Shang, L., Bogenschutz, E.L., Sun, X., Chung, W.K. Congenital diaphragmatic hernias: from genes to mechanisms to therapies. Disease Models & Mechanisms. 2017 Aug 1;10(8):955-970. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28768736/

McCulley, D., Wienhold, M.D., Sun, X. “The pulmonary mesenchyme directs lung development.” Current Opinion in Genetics & Development. 2015 Jun;32:98-105. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25796078/

Support the show

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!

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This episode of the Incubator Podcast, hosted by Ben and Daphna, delves into the significant impact of Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) in neonatal care. Featuring experts from the National Neonatal POCUS Collaborative, including Dr. Yogen Singh, Dr. Maria Fraga, Dr. Shazia Bhombal, and Dr. Sai Mukthapuram, the discussion focuses on the advancements in neonatal diagnostics and care through POCUS, the collaborative's goals for standardization and education, and the future of POCUS in enhancing outcomes for neonates.

Support the show

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!