Health Innovation Hub Ireland’s Post

Role of Sonography in Neonatal Healthcare Sonography stands at the forefront of infant healthcare, providing essential diagnostics that guide the early detection and management of conditions in neonates. Here’s how sonographers specializing in infant care are making a profound impact: • Early Detection and Intervention: Through the precision of neonatal ultrasound, sonographers play a key role in the early detection of critical conditions, such as congenital heart defects and abdominal anomalies. This early insight facilitates timely intervention, significantly improving outcomes for our youngest patients. • Non-Invasive Brain Imaging: Neonatal brain sonography is a cornerstone in the evaluation of neurological health in infants, offering a non-invasive method to detect conditions like brain hemorrhages or hydrocephalus. Sonographers adept in this modality provide crucial data that shapes neurodevelopmental care strategies. • Supporting Developmental Health: By expertly conducting hip ultrasounds, sonographers are instrumental in diagnosing and monitoring developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), ensuring that interventions are applied promptly to support proper musculoskeletal development.

I want to share with you some cutting-edge research published in the April issue of Hypertension that sheds light on the profound impact of preeclampsia on maternal heart health and fetal brain development. Through meticulous imaging analysis encompassing maternal cardiac, placental, and fetal brain parameters, the study reveals compelling correlations. Women with preeclampsia exhibit distinct markers, including heightened left ventricular mass—an ominous precursor to cardiovascular disease—and compromised placental and fetal brain oxygenation and microstructure. By leveraging MRI as a comprehensive diagnostic tool, healthcare providers can proactively mitigate risks and optimise outcomes for both mothers and babies. Let's champion this pioneering work and harness the power of innovation to transform maternal and fetal healthcare. #PreeclampsiaAwareness #MaternalHealth #FetalDevelopment #MedicalInnovation #MRIResearch #HealthcareAdvancement

Just had a case of fetal cardiac arrhythmia during 1st trimester screening - with Sustained bradycardia at 109bpm for the entire 45-minute study. 📑 Introduction: Fetal cardiac bradycardia is defined as a slow heart rate in the developing fetus, typically below 110 beats per minute. This condition can be concerning for both the mother and healthcare providers, as it may indicate an underlying issue with the baby's heart. 📍 Presentation on Ultrasound: On ultrasound, fetal cardiac bradycardia appears as a slower-than-normal heartbeat, usually below 110 beats per minute. The heart may also appear to beat irregularly or have abnormal rhythms, as seen in this example. 📍 Causes and Complications: There are several potential causes of fetal cardiac bradycardia, including maternal factors such as medication use, infections, or chronic health conditions. Other causes may include structural abnormalities in the baby's heart, genetic disorders, or issues with blood flow to the placenta. If left untreated, fetal cardiac bradycardia can lead to serious complications such as developmental delays, growth restrictions, or even stillbirth. 📍 Diagnosis and Management: If fetal cardiac bradycardia is suspected based on ultrasound findings, further diagnostic tests may be performed to determine the underlying cause. These tests may include Doppler studies, fetal echocardiograms, or genetic testing. Treatment options will depend on the cause of the bradycardia and may involve close monitoring, medications to regulate the heartbeat, or in severe cases, early delivery. #pregnancy #fetalhealth #cardiology

The first patient to take part in a UCL-sponsored clinical trial to use deep brain stimulation (DBS) to treat #epilepsy has seen his daytime seizures reduce by 80%. Oran, who had been having severe epileptic seizures for eight years and often needed resuscitation, was the first child in the UK to have this device implanted at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust in October 2023, when he was 12 years old. Now eight months on, his seizures have dramatically reduced in frequency and severity as a result. The rechargeable device is mounted onto the skull and is attached to electrodes deep in the brain to reduce seizure activity. Unlike other DBS devices which are mounted on the chest with wires running up the neck to the brain, this device is mounted on the skull meaning the leads are less likely to break or erode as the child grows.   The device is also rechargeable through wearable headphones, which can be used while watching a video or interacting with a tablet. This also means it does not require surgery to replace it every three to five years. Mr Martin Tisdall, Honorary Associate Professor at UCL Faculty of Population Health Sciences and Consultant Paediatric Neurosurgeon at GOSH, said: “Deep brain stimulation brings us closer than ever before to stopping epileptic seizures for patients who have very limited effective treatment options. We are excited to build the evidence base to demonstrate the ability of deep brain stimulation to treat paediatric epilepsy and hope in years to come it will be a standard treatment we can offer.”  Read more here 👇 https://lnkd.in/eW2KSVpm

Barbra Streisand (yes, that Barbra Streisand) is done waiting for doctors to stop ignoring the high rate of death from #Misdiagnosis of #HeartDisease among #women. The lack of awareness among women, especially younger women, and the high rate of #DiagnosticError combined are “killing us” writes  Streisand and Noel Bairey Merz MD in a USA TODAY column. They are “co-founders of a women’s heart health organization dedicated to fighting #GenderInequity in #CardiovascularResearch, treatment and prevention.” And they’re doing a lot to address it. o Dr. Noel Bairey Merz is director of the Barbra Streisand Women’s Heart Center in the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai. o They’ve funded the first large-scale heart disease outcome trial in women, WARRIOR. Look for results later this year. The article sites some very important facts: o Awareness of heart disease is on the decline among women – especially younger women o Only 38% of clinical trial participants are women, and research is chronically underfunded.  o Fewer than 20% of medical schools have sex- and gender-based curriculum that goes beyond obstetrics and gynecology. That’s important in every field of medicine. o Heart disease in women is often completely missed or its diagnosis delayed. It’s too often labeled “all in their head.” Women's Heart Alliance Society to Improve Diagnosis in Medicine  #GenderBias #HeartDisease #Cardiology #Cardiologists #MedicalTraining https://lnkd.in/guVvnpAu

🌟 Exciting Research Updates! 🌟 I'm thrilled to share two significant milestones in my research journey, contributing to our understanding and optimization of oxygen delivery systems. 1️⃣ Variability in Low-Flow Oxygen Delivery by Nasal Cannula Evaluated in Neonatal and Infant Airway Replicas (Published in Respiratory Research) This study examined the variability of inspired oxygen fraction (FiO2) in neonates and infants receiving low-flow oxygen therapy through nasal cannulas. Our analysis encompassed a range of parameters - including nasal cannula flow rate, airway geometry, tidal volume, respiratory rate, and more - across 384 different combinations. We found that while the FiO2 was influenced significantly by tidal volume, inhalation time, and nasal cannula flow rate, it was not notably affected by breath waveform shape, replica geometry, or cannula position. An empirical correction to our initial flow-weighted calculation provided a better match with measured FiO2, highlighting the need for refined approaches in pediatric oxygen therapy. 🔗https://lnkd.in/gkGf4sBV 2️⃣ High-Flow and Low-Flow Oxygen Delivery by Nasal Cannula Evaluated in Infant and Adult Airway Replicas (Accepted in Respiratory Care) Building on our previous work, this upcoming publication extends our investigation to high-flow oxygen delivery, encompassing both children and adult patients. We developed a new empirical equation for predicting FiO2, achieving high accuracy in both infant and adult airway replicas for low-flow and high-flow regimes. This study underscores the nonlinear relationship between oxygen flow and FiO2, and the importance of accurate prediction models for safe and effective oxygen therapy. 👥I'm eager to engage with peers, experts, and collaborators in the field to discuss these findings and their practical implications. Your insights, feedback, and potential collaborative opportunities are highly valued! #Research #RespiratoryCare #Pediatrics #OxygenTherapy #MedicalResearch #HealthcareInnovation Respiratory Care (journal)

In my work with telemedicine leaders I often hear about the challenge to provide consistent access to quality care for both mother and child. It's invigorating to see the impact that this technology can have to increase detection and ensure that patient care begins earlier with reliable disease identification. #digitalhealth #healthcareAI #patientcare #HealthcareInnovation

🔬 Insights into Neurodevelopmental Outcomes for Children with Congenital Gastrointestinal Malformations 🔬 A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis led by Daniëlle Zwagerman - Roorda, Marsh Königs, Laurens Eeftinck Schattenkerk, Lideke (AFW) van der Steeg, Ernest van Heurn, Jaap Oosterlaan has revealed significant findings about the neurodevelopmental challenges faced by children with congenital gastrointestinal malformations. 🧠 The research, involving an analysis of 47 studies and over 2,300 patients, indicates that these children are likely to experience small-sized cognitive impairments, medium-sized motor impairments, and medium-sized language impairments. The study highlights the impact of multiple surgeries and prolonged hospital stays on these outcomes, emphasizing the critical need for tailored healthcare interventions. 📘 Dive deeper into this pivotal research and earn 1.0 CME by exploring how these findings can influence pediatric healthcare practices and patient management strategies. https://lnkd.in/diGA9shy #PediatricCare #Neurodevelopment #HealthcareResearch #MedicalEducation #CME #GastrointestinalHealth

As healthcare professionals, accurate assessment of gestational age is crucial in providing optimal obstetrical care to pregnant individuals. A recent study in JAMA found that novice clinicians using an AI-enabled ultrasonography probe could estimate gestational age as accurately as credentialed sonographers, with just a 0.2 day difference. This research highlights the potential of AI technology to enhance point-of-care ultrasonography in low-resource settings, improving maternal and fetal outcomes. Incorporating AI into ultrasonography devices can provide reliable gestational age assessments, ultimately revolutionizing obstetrical care. Moving forward, healthcare institutions should consider implementing AI-enabled ultrasonography devices to enhance care for pregnant individuals, especially where specialized sonographers are scarce. This research has the power to transform obstetrical care and improve maternal and child health outcomes worldwide. 🌟 #HealthcareInnovation #AIinHealthcare #MaternalHealth #FetalHealth #GlobalHealth #Obstetrics #JAMAStudy https://lnkd.in/ddxk4Wbq

A cohort study collected and analyzed data from 150 infants born at less than 32 weeks' gestation. Its findings demonstrated that early life exposure to pain affects brain development in very preterm infants. Additionally, the investigators found sex-specific associations between pain exposure and brain development, with female infants experiencing a greater impact on brain connectivity. #pretermbirth #prematurebabies