
The Incubator
Ben Courchia & Daphna Yasova Barbeau
A weekly discussion about new evidence in neonatal care and the fascinating individuals who make this progress possible. Hosted by Dr. Ben Courchia and Dr. Daphna Yasova Barbeau.

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Top 10 The Incubator Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best The Incubator episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to The Incubator for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite The Incubator episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

#NEC SYMPOSIUM - Open Mic w Darren Bodkin
The Incubator
08/29/23 • 12 min
What if a diagnosis deemed to be a death sentence was not? That's precisely what Darren from the University of Pittsburgh Mental Center is here to discuss with us. He shares his fascinating research, redefining the narrative around nec totalis - a condition widely believed to be incompatible with life. Darren's data, spanning from 2010 to 2022, illustrates a different reality. Among 494 diagnosed cases, there were survivors, challenging the gloom-and-doom prognosis often associated with this diagnosis.
The conversation takes a deeper turn as we explore the ethical implications of providing life-sustaining therapy for necrotizing enterocolitis totalis. Darren emphasizes the need for center-specific treatment plans and open dialogue with families about potential therapeutic options, despite the survival rate being low. We also delve into the improvements in nec totalis care and discuss the significance of intestinal transplants. Don't miss this enlightening discussion where we redefine the boundaries of what was once thought impossible. Darren's insights will surely make you question conventional medical wisdom and show you the true power of relentless research and innovation.
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!

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![The Incubator - #263 - 🟢 [HOT TOPICS 2024] - Empowering NICU Families](https://storage.buzzsprout.com/msjc7fba13kjm6cwg2uejhtyvfu1?.avif)
12/10/24 • 11 min
In this episode, Ben and Daphna reconnect with Betsy Pilon, Executive Director of Hope for HIE, to explore the unique challenges and opportunities for families with full-term infants in the NICU. Betsy highlights unmet needs, including better communication, inclusive language, and actionable quality improvement initiatives like guidelines for holding and feeding during cooling therapy. She emphasizes the importance of inclusive family engagement and awareness of diagnosis-specific resources. This discussion sheds light on the full-term NICU experience, empowering clinicians to improve support and care for these often-overlooked families.
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!

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![The Incubator - #248 - [Journal Club Shorts] - 📌 Clonidine as monotherapy for NOWS?](https://storage.buzzsprout.com/msjc7fba13kjm6cwg2uejhtyvfu1?.avif)
10/20/24 • 16 min
Clonidine as Monotherapy for Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome: A Randomized Trial.
Bada HS, Westgate PM, Sithisarn T, Yolton K, Charnigo R, Pourcyrous M, Tang F, Gibson J, Shearer-Miller J, Giannone P, Leggas M.Pediatrics. 2024 Oct 15:e2023065610. doi: 10.1542/peds.2023-065610. Online ahead of print.PMID: 39403061
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!

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![The Incubator - #248 - [Journal Club Shorts] - 📌 Outcomes after Intranasal Human Milk](https://storage.buzzsprout.com/msjc7fba13kjm6cwg2uejhtyvfu1?.avif)
10/20/24 • 11 min
Outcomes after intranasal human milk therapy in preterm infants with intraventricular hemorrhage.
Gallipoli A, Unger S, El Shahed A, Fan CS, Signorile M, Wilson D, Hoban R.J Perinatol. 2024 Oct 9. doi: 10.1038/s41372-024-02147-3. Online ahead of print.PMID: 39384614
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!

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#290 – 🫀 From the Heart - Preemies with CHD, Post op Brain Injury & The Neonatologist’s Role in Cardiac Care
The Incubator
03/16/25 • 46 min
In this episode of From The Heart, hosts Dr. Nim Goldshtrom and Dr. Adrianne Bischoff explore the latest research in neonatal cardiac care, focusing on congenital heart disease (CHD) and its impact on premature infants. They discuss a study analyzing survival trends in preterm infants with CHD, highlighting the “double jeopardy” these babies face due to both prematurity and congenital cardiac anomalies. Another study compares neurodevelopmental outcomes between preterm infants and those with CHD, revealing that term infants with CHD exhibit similar motor and cognitive challenges as preterm infants, yet receive less developmental support. The conversation then shifts to emerging research showing a decline in postoperative brain injuries in CHD patients, possibly due to improved surgical and perioperative care. Finally, they discuss a survey on neonatal cardiac care models, emphasizing the evolving role of neonatologists in managing CHD patients and the need for better integration between NICUs and CICUs. Nim and Adrianne reflect on the importance of specialized care teams, advocating for neonatologists to play a greater role in optimizing outcomes for this vulnerable population. Tune in for a compelling discussion on bridging the gaps in neonatal cardiac care.
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!

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![The Incubator - #263 - 🟢 [HOT TOPICS 2024] - Transforming Neonatal Care with QI, EHR, and AI](https://storage.buzzsprout.com/msjc7fba13kjm6cwg2uejhtyvfu1?.avif)
12/09/24 • 10 min
In this episode, Ben and Daphna sit down with Dr. Lindsey Knake from the University of Iowa to discuss the integration of quality improvement (QI), clinical decision support, and artificial intelligence (AI) in neonatal care. Dr. Knake shares insights on optimizing electronic health record (EHR) interventions, emphasizing their role in enhancing QI projects. She also highlights innovative AI applications, such as using large language models for efficiency and respiratory belt technology for neonatal lung monitoring. With enthusiasm for cutting-edge tools and collaboration, this conversation showcases Dr. Knake’s vision for the future of neonatology.
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!

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![The Incubator - #279 - [Journal Club Shorts] - 📌 Delivery Volumes of VPT vs Mortality](https://storage.buzzsprout.com/msjc7fba13kjm6cwg2uejhtyvfu1?.avif)
02/09/25 • 20 min
The Impact of Hospital Delivery Volumes of Newborns Born Very Preterm on Mortality and Morbidity.
Phibbs CS, Passarella M, Schmitt SK, Martin A, Lorch SA.J Pediatr. 2025 Jan;276:114323. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2024.114323. Epub 2024 Sep 18.PMID: 39304118
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!

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03/02/25 • 88 min
In this episode of The Incubator’s Journal Club, hosts Ben and Daphna open with exciting announcements, including details on the upcoming Delphi Neonatal Innovation Conference and new video content for their “Beyond the Beeps” series on YouTube. They also share updates on the Board Review Podcast, geared toward both board preparation and ongoing learning in neonatology.
The team’s first paper discussion highlights the ECLA trial from The Lancet, which examines higher versus lower CPAP levels for extubating extremely preterm infants. Ben and Daphna explore how higher CPAP may decrease extubation failure and the implications for clinical practice. Next, they review a large population-based study on intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), underscoring the persistently high rates of IVH in very preterm infants and emphasizing its impact on neurodevelopmental outcomes.
They then welcome guest speaker Dr. Tim Barr from the University of Utah, who introduces the concept of end-tidal carbon monoxide monitoring as a noninvasive tool for detecting hemolysis and guiding bilirubin management. Dr. Barr explains how this method may help clinicians identify and treat high-risk neonates earlier. The discussion closes with a look at recent data on early hydrocortisone use in neonatal shock and a paper examining discrepancies between parental and medical classifications of neurodevelopmental impairment. Through in-depth research reviews and expert commentary, this episode showcases The Incubator’s commitment to advancing neonatal care.
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!

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04/20/25 • 93 min
In this Journal Club episode, Ben and Daphna review several impactful studies shaping neonatal care. They begin with a secondary analysis of the ETTNO trial, which examined whether liberal transfusion thresholds reduce intermittent hypoxemia or improve neurodevelopmental outcomes in extremely low birth weight infants. Despite prior concerns, the study found no benefit to liberal thresholds, supporting current restrictive practices. A JAMA Network Open study follows, revealing that late preterm infants are least likely to receive mother’s own milk at 12 weeks, underscoring an overlooked group in breastfeeding support efforts. Dr. David Rube joins the show to discuss a two-year follow-up of the IN-RECSURE trial, which investigated whether lung recruitment before surfactant administration leads to improved long-term outcomes—ultimately showing no difference in death or disability. The hosts also explore a meta-analysis on umbilical cord blood therapy for children with cerebral palsy, highlighting benefits in motor function for younger children with milder CP when treated at higher doses. Additional topics include the association between funisitis and cerebral palsy in extremely preterm infants and the AZTEC trial’s conclusion that azithromycin does not reduce BPD. The episode concludes with a review of best practices for discussing autopsy with families in the NICU setting.
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!

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![The Incubator - #263 - 🟢 [HOT TOPICS 2024] - Furosemide and Evidence-Based Neonatology with Dr. Nicolas Bamat](https://storage.buzzsprout.com/msjc7fba13kjm6cwg2uejhtyvfu1?.avif)
#263 - 🟢 [HOT TOPICS 2024] - Furosemide and Evidence-Based Neonatology with Dr. Nicolas Bamat
The Incubator
12/11/24 • 11 min
In this episode, Ben and Daphna are joined by Dr. Nicolas Bamat, neonatologist at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania, to discuss his work on furosemide for established BPD. Dr. Bamat shares insights into the complexities of polypharmacy in neonates, emphasizing the need for developmental pharmacology and medication stewardship. He also highlights CHOP’s evolving approach to furosemide use, focusing on intent and outcomes. Additionally, Dr. Bamat introduces the EBNEO Impact Article of the Year campaign, celebrating impactful neonatal research.
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!

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FAQ
How many episodes does The Incubator have?
The Incubator currently has 648 episodes available.
What topics does The Incubator cover?
The podcast is about Doctor, Health & Fitness, Icu, Baby, Medical, Medicine, Podcast, Podcasts, Science and Ben.
What is the most popular episode on The Incubator?
The episode title '#124 - 🙋♀️ Tricia Brooks - Loss of insurance coverage after the COVID public health emergency [advocacy series]' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on The Incubator?
The average episode length on The Incubator is 35 minutes.
How often are episodes of The Incubator released?
Episodes of The Incubator are typically released every 3 hours.
When was the first episode of The Incubator?
The first episode of The Incubator was released on May 4, 2021.
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