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Welcome to “At the Bench” a new podcast in the Incubator network focusing on physician-scientists in neonatology, their research, and career journeys. 

This week, we start by interviewing Dr. Elizabeth “Betsy” Crouch, a neonatologist, neuroscientist, and vascular biologist at the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Crouch’s lab takes a “Vascular-centric” perspective to neurodevelopment and studies how the blood vessels in the developing brain and spinal cord impact the growing neural cells, and vice versa. In part, this approach is inspired by germinal matrix hemorrhage, a devastating condition unfortunately common in the NICU that can cause cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus, and death. Early in Dr. Crouch’s training, a family she cared for in the NICU questioned the status quo in germinal matrix hemorrhage management. They asked why, in this era of modern medicine, their baby had no treatment options for this devastating and common condition. This anecdote highlights what has become a theme in her research: basic and translational science inspired by parents and patients. Her lab now focuses on defining the stages of vascular stem cells in the developing brain and understanding the mechanisms that regulate their functions, applying this knowledge to produce novel technologies and therapeutic strategies for different brain hemorrhages in neonatal and pediatric patients. This episode discusses the challenges and victories in Dr. Crouch’s journey, her mentors and their wisdom, and how we might create a future without germinal matrix hemorrhage for our premies and their families.

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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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In this episode of the incubator, Dr. Nora Colman, a pediatric critical care physician, and Sarah Walter, a registered architect and senior medical planner, delve into the intricacies of designing Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs). They explore the impact of the built environment on neonatal care, emphasizing evidence-based design and the need for healthcare architecture to support patient outcomes. Discussions revolve around how elements like lighting, noise, and spatial design influence both the health of newborns and the efficiency of care. The episode underscores the importance of collaboration between healthcare professionals and architects in creating optimal NICU environments, with real-world examples and innovative approaches highlighted.

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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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Dr. Kunda Mutesu-Kapembwa is a Paediatrician and Neonatologist working in Zambia. She holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery, a Master in Paediatrics and Child Health, a Certificate and Master of Philosophy in Neonatology. Her career is dedicated to nursing and doctors’ education and to the health of neonates and their families. She Co-founded Newborn Support Zambia, a not for profit Non-Governmental Organization to help improve the care of neonates in Zambia.

https://www.the-incubator.org/post/176-global-neonatal-pod-pioneering-neonatology-in-zambia-with-dr-kunda-mutesu-kapwemb

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1. A trial on using sildenafil for brain injury in neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). The safety and feasibility of sildenafil as a restorative treatment are explored.
2. The effectiveness of NIR-CIVIMAB for RSV prevention in infants. The focus is on reducing hospitalizations due to RSV-associated lower respiratory tract infections.
3. The impact of antenatal corticosteroid treatment during late preterm periods on neonatal outcomes, especially in twin pregnancies.
4. A study on energy drink intake before and during pregnancy and its association with adverse pregnancy outcomes.
5. Jennifer Canvasser's meeting with the FDA regarding probiotic use in NICUs and the implications of recent FDA warnings.
6. Research on early and exclusive enteral nutrition in preterm infants, the time taken to reach target cooling temperature in infants with HIE, and the potential role of blood transfusions in bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

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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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Early and exclusive enteral nutrition in infants born very preterm.Razzaghy J, Shukla VV, Gunawan E, Reeves A, Nguyen K, Salas AA.Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2023 Dec 22:fetalneonatal-2023-325969. doi: 10.1136/archdischild-2023-325969. Online ahead of print.PMID: 38135494

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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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Positioning for lumbar puncture in newborn infants. Pessano S, Bruschettini M, Prescott MG, Romantsik O.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2023 Dec 14;12(12):CD015592. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD015592.pub3.PMID: 38096386 Review.

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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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Feasibility and safety of sildenafil to repair brain injury secondary to birth asphyxia (SANE-01): A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase Ib clinical trial. Wintermark P, Lapointe A, Steinhorn R, Rampakakis E, Burhenne J, Meid AD, Bajraktari-Sylejmani G, Khairy M, Altit G, Adamo MT, Poccia A, Gilbert G, Saint-Martin C, Toffoli D, Vachon J, Hailu E, Colin P, Haefeli WE.J Pediatr. 2023 Dec 21:113879. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2023.113879. Online ahead of print.PMID: 38142044 Free article.

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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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Learn more about the work done by the NEC Society here: https://necsociety.org/2024/01/03/nec-society-fda-meeting-on-probiotics/

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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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Happy 2024! We kick off the new year with an exceptional episode. This week, we delve deep with Dr. Terri Major-Kincade, a neonatologist whose career is a testament to the power of empathy in medicine. Dr. Major-Kincade shares intricate details of her path, shaped by her sister's premature birth, leading to her life's mission in neonatology. She explores the complexities of providing hope in the NICU, the ethical dimensions of palliative care, and how personal experiences can enrich professional practice. The conversation also navigates the intricate balance of work and life in the demanding world of neonatal care. For specialists seeking to deepen their practice with empathy and evidence-based insight, this episode is a reservoir of wisdom and encouragement.

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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