12/30/2022

Friends of Franz Podcast S2 E2: Teeny-Weeny Preemies with Dr. Kate Rubey

The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is the hospital ward where no new parents ever hope to be. Though a safe haven for babies, the NICU becomes a temporary home to those who require immediate medical care, such as preterm or premature babies (born before 37 weeks of pregnancy), congenital anomalies (i.e., birth defects), and infections. According to the March of Dimes, a non-profit organization championing the fight against preventable maternal, preterm, and infant death, around 19.5% of babies are collectively born preterm in a given week in the United States. Premature birth can result in developmental delays and impairments in respiration, hearing, and vision, with data showing that it accounts for almost 36% of infant deaths from 2017-2019. Meanwhile, 3% of babies are affected by birth defects, accounting for 20% of infant deaths. What are the risk and preventable factors for preterm birth? What are the most frequent birth anomalies seen? How does the NICU team support babies and their parents and/or guardians when they leave the hospital?

We are joined today by Dr. Kate Rubey, a board-certified neonatologist, NICU attending physician, and neonatal research fellow. Outside the hospital, Dr. Kate is a current NIH-funded research scientist fellow focusing on pulmonary nanomedicine and a fount of pediatric education on social media.