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In this episode of the Incubator podcast, host Dr. Ben Courchia is joined by two distinguished guests: Dr. Neil Patel, a neonatologist from the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow, UK, and Dr. Srirupa Hari Gopal, a third year neonatology fellow at Baylor College of Medicine.

The discussion delves into the complexities of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Drs. Patel and Gopal share their passion for caring for these patients and the multidisciplinary approach required to optimize outcomes.

The conversation highlights the evolving understanding of CDH pathophysiology, with a focus on the increasingly recognized role of cardiac dysfunction alongside pulmonary hypoplasia and pulmonary hypertension. The guests also discuss recent advances in prenatal care for CDH, including the use of fetal endotracheal occlusion (FETO) to promote lung growth, and the challenges of counseling families facing a CDH diagnosis.

Looking to the future, Drs. Patel and Gopal express excitement about tailoring CDH management to different disease phenotypes, establishing consensus definitions for CDH-associated pulmonary hypertension, and investigating novel approaches such as physiologic cord clamping.

Throughout the episode, the guests' dedication to improving care for newborns with CDH shines through, leaving listeners with a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities in this field. This informative and engaging discussion is a must-listen for anyone interested in the latest developments in neonatal medicine and the tireless efforts of clinicians and researchers to give every baby the best possible start in life.

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As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: [email protected]. 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!