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In this episode, Tasmin Bota shares her  journey as a mother of a premature baby and the founder of Preemie Connect. Tasmin shares about her traumatic birth experience, the challenges faced in the NICU, and the lack of emotional support for parents of premature infants. Tasmin also highlights the motivation behind creating Preemie Connect as a way to fill the gap in support and resources for families dealing with prematurity. The conversation also touches on the current initiatives of Preemie Connect and the ongoing fight for better emotional care in neonatal units. The discussion also highlights the importance of community support, the impact of language used by healthcare providers, and the systemic issues that affect preemie care in South Africa. Tasmin also outlines her vision for the future of Preemie Connect and the necessary policy changes to improve outcomes for preemie families.

Link to episode on youtube: https://youtu.be/aFE9vF4NbVo

Resources mentioned in episode: https://preemieconnect.my.canva.site/

Contact:   

Preemie Connect Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/preemieconnect/#

Preemie Connect Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/preemieconnect

Preemie Connect Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/preemieconnect

Preemie Connect TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@preemieconnect

Support the show

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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In this week’s Journal Club, Ben and Daphna dive into the latest report from the American Academy of Pediatrics on the management of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in preterm infants. They dissect the nuances of prophylactic versus selective treatment, review recent meta-analyses, and explore why early intervention might not yield better outcomes despite effective PDA closure. They also break down new echocardiographic criteria for diagnosing a hemodynamically significant PDA and discuss the role of transcatheter procedures.

The conversation then shifts to MRI timing and classification in neonatal encephalopathy, highlighting recent Canadian consensus recommendations for standardizing imaging protocols post-therapeutic hypothermia. The episode wraps up with a look at the TOHOP trial on permissive hypotension, challenging long-standing blood pressure treatment thresholds in preterm infants.

Listeners will gain a pragmatic view of evolving clinical practices and research gaps in neonatal care, particularly for infants with PDA and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. If you’re looking to stay current on evidence-based recommendations without the fluff, this episode is for you.

Support the show

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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Treatment of Hypotension of Prematurity: a randomised trial.

Alderliesten T, Arasteh E, van Alphen A, Groenendaal F, Dudink J, Benders MJ, van Bel F, Lemmers P.Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2025 May 24:fetalneonatal-2024-328253. doi: 10.1136/archdischild-2024-328253. Online ahead of print.PMID: 40413017

Support the show

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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Shifting outlooks after neonatal encephalopathy in the era of therapeutic hypothermia.

Christoffel K, Mulkey SB.Pediatr Res. 2025 Jun 4. doi: 10.1038/s41390-025-04156-0. Online ahead of print.PMID: 40467976 Review.

Support the show

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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Consensus Approach for Standardization of the Timing of Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Classification of Brain Injury in Neonates With Neonatal Encephalopathy/Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy: A Canadian Perspective.

Mohammad K, Reddy Gurram Venkata SK, Wintermark P, Farooqui M, Beltempo M, Hicks M, Zein H, Shah PS, Garfinkle J, Sandesh S, Cizmeci MN, Fajardo C, Guillot M, de Vries LS, Pinchefsky E, Shroff M, Scott JN; Newborn Brain Health Working Group of the Canadian Neonatal Network.Pediatr Neurol. 2025 May;166:16-31. doi: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2025.01.021. Epub 2025 Feb 12.PMID: 40048833 Free article.

Support the show

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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Active Treatment vs Expectant Management of Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Preterm Infants: A Meta-Analysis.

Buvaneswarran S, Wong YL, Liang S, Quek SC, Lee J.JAMA Pediatr. 2025 May 27:e251025. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2025.1025. Online ahead of print.PMID: 40423988 Free PMC 

Support the show

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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Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Preterm Infants.

Ambalavanan N, Aucott SW, Salavitabar A, Levy VY; Committee on Fetus and Newborn; Section on Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery.Pediatrics. 2025 May 1;155(5):e2025071425. doi: 10.1542/peds.2025-071425.PMID: 40288780 Review.

Support the show

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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In this special Tech Tuesday episode of The Incubator Podcast, Ben and Daphna sit down with Dr. Joanna Parga-Belinkie—neonatologist, author, and co-host of the AAP’s Pediatrics on Call podcast. They dive into her new book, The Baby Bonding Book: Connecting with Your Newborn, a resource designed to demystify early parenting through a blend of evidence-based guidance and real-world experience.

Joanna shares how her background in neonatology and her work in both NICU and newborn nursery settings shaped the stories and structure of the book. The conversation highlights the overwhelming amount of information modern parents face, and how the book’s approachable format aims to reduce stress and empower bonding. The team discusses the science behind early relational health, how clinicians can better support families, and the importance of maintaining humanity in both parenting and medical practice.

Whether you’re a parent, provider, or someone interested in pediatric health communication, this episode offers insights into bridging clinical knowledge with compassionate storytelling—and why it’s critical for both family well-being and professional growth.

Support the show

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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In this week’s episode, Ben and Daphna sit down with Michelle Kelly, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and Associate Professor at Villanova University. Michelle is a leading voice in recognizing the lasting impact of preterm birth on long-term health. She shares insights from her co-authored article, Addressing Preterm Birth History with Clinical Practice Recommendations Across the Life Course, which outlines how a history of prematurity should inform lifelong clinical care.

The conversation highlights the gap between neonatal and adult healthcare systems, and why identifying preterm birth history should be a routine part of medical assessments. Michelle also discusses practical strategies to educate families, empower survivors of prematurity, and shift provider assumptions about long-term outcomes. This episode offers a thoughtful and grounded discussion on turning early-life health factors into actionable care across the lifespan.

Support the show

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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In this episode of Beyond the Beeps, Leah discusses the journey of NICU families, focusing on gastroschisis, a condition where a baby's intestines are outside the body at birth. Ruby Bacardi shares her personal experience with her son Oliver, who was born with gastroschisis and spent three months in the NICU. The conversation explores the emotional challenges, medical insights, and the importance of support for families navigating this journey. Dr. Daphna Yasova Barbeau provides medical perspectives, while Ruby emphasizes the significance of cherishing small victories and finding hope amidst uncertainty.

Support the show

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!