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This episode features Dr. Giulia Lima (Boston Children’s Hospital), a CHNC Mentored Fellow, discussing risk factors for morbidity and mortality among preterm infants with congenital heart disease (CHD) using data from over 11,000 NICU admissions. Surprisingly, older gestational age did not predict improved survival once infants survived beyond three days. Major mortality predictors included surgical NEC, bloodstream infection, trisomy 21, airway anomalies, and compromised systemic output lesions. Multiple gestation appeared protective, though reasons remain unclear. Dr. Lima highlights the importance of standardized prenatal steroids, care coordination, and exploring socioeconomic and ethnic disparities to improve outcomes in this uniquely vulnerable CHD population.

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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.

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