I am a Neonatologist trained in Winnipeg, Manitoba and Edmonton, Alberta.  My current position is Section Head of Neonatology in Manitoba and over my career my interests have meandered from time to time.  I have been a past Program Director of Neonatology and Medical Director for a level II Intensive Care Unit prior to relocating to Winnipeg become a Section Head.  My current positions also include Co-Director of the Neonatal Telehealth program and assistant Medical Director for the Child Health Transport Program.

We live in the era of social media and that means that the days of turning to Medline and other medical search engines for all the latest information are behind us.  many-usersWe live in a global village so to speak and in that spirit I welcome you to my blog which I hope will provide a forum for discussion on topics that are of interest to Neonatologists, trainees, all health care professionals and in some cases parents of those we care for.  My intent is to post opinions and analysis on both items from the media and literature that pertain to neonates.  While I have many interests, my particular motivation is to find ways to reduce discomfort for the patients that we care for. Whether it is through the use of non-invasive testing or finding a way to improve the patient experience this is where I find myself most energized.

If you like what you see and would like updates to be sent to you as they are published feel free to follow the site by clicking the follow button on the sidebar to the bottom right.  You can also follow both my Twitter (@NICU_Musings) and Facebook feeds for additional content and discussion by clicking the additional links found there.

My Facebook page serves as a better means of expanding dialogue on a variety of topics and posts

Medical videos can be found on the accompanying YouTube channel. Subscribing to the channel will give you access to new videos as they come up.

Please “share” and “like” to help expand the circle of knowledge.  You never know who might be out there with a tidbit of information that might change your practice for the better!

13 thoughts on “Welcome to All Things Neonatal!

  1. As an organization The Morgan Leary Vaughan Fund, Inc. (www.morgansfund.org) devoted to Necrotizing Enterocolitis and a search for a cure we would love to see you share info regarding NEC and the affect it has on our smallest and most vulnerable members of society.

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    1. Mary thank you so much for the comment. Rest assured we will be talking about NEC. In factstay tuned for tomorrow’s post on that topic. Looking forward to reading about your organization!

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  2. Hi! I have questions I can’t seem to find answers to. Can you answer why extremely preterm infants have such trouble sometimes regulating their blood pressure and need inotropic support the first many days? I also recall reading that swinging saturation and chasing sats with oxygen can cause IVH. I know the biggest risk is with ROP. Did I read wrong somewhere?

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    1. The problem with blood pressure may be related to hypovolemia in many cases. Since introducing delayed cord clamping that the need for boluses and inotropic support has dropped dramatically in our unit. As for oxygen administration, it is a drug like any other medicine and there are potential side effects. Hyperoxia can be associated with the production of oxygen free radicals which can lead to vascular injury and potential bleeding

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  3. How we can improve and apply delayed cord clamping in our unit you know that obstetricians after delivery of the baby clamping the cord very fast and today before starting one CS I told the obstetrician if the baby cried immediately you can clamp the cord and if he didn’t cry immediately wait for30-60seconds then clamp the cord he looked at me with open mouth and he did what he used to do

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    1. My advice is to find an opinion leader. A well respected obstetrician to become a champion for this and his or her colleagues may follow. Having a checklist for deliveries that includes delayed clamping and communicating that to the team delivering the baby that this is expected may help as well. Whether you do it for all babies or some is up for discussion

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  4. Sometimes after delivery obstetrician put the baby on mother’s tummy and wait for 1 min of delayed cord clamping or lift the baby and show the face to mom while waiting for 1 min. I think this should not be done to get benefit from delayed cord clamping. Any input? Does it matter whether or not baby should be above or below the placental level?

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    1. I don’t believe keeping the baby below the placental level versus at the same level makes a large difference. Placing the baby above this level may reduce flow but I recall reading there is transfer even then. I think also that any delay in cord clamping is better than none.

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  5. Have you heard of Hope for HIE? We are a worldwide network of support for families whose infants and children have experienced hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy. Run by parents, we provide comprehensive support, education and awareness and are always looking for more ways to connect families faster after diagnosis, and partner with medical professionals to improve care and outcomes.

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  6. Dear Doctor,
    Good Day!!

    I hope this message finds you well.

    I’m honoured to announce World Congress on Paediatrics & Neonatology which is scheduled on March 02- 03, 2020 in Rome, Italy at Holiday Inn Roma Aurelia.
    WCPN-2020 summonses abstracts related to the new scientific research in all the fields of Neonatology, Brest Feeding, Obstetrics, Gynaecology, Paediatric research and its related aspects. We are overwhelmed by your great contribution to the field of Neonatology & Paediatrics.

    Please let us know your availability to Participate at WCPN-2020

    For more info have a glance at Pediatricconferences2020

    Looking forward to your swift response
    Regards
    Nicole. M

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