Teeny-Weeny Preemies with Dr. Kate Rubey

Friends of Franz

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. She received her BA in Microbiology from Miami University in 2009, MA in Medical Science from Loyola University in 2010, MD from Rush Medical College in 2014, Pediatrics residency at the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin in 2017, and Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine fellowship at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) in 2020. 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, as recently featured on In the Know by Yahoo.

Livestream Air Date: January 27, 2022

Kate Rubey, MD, FAAP: IG @drkater

Friends of Franz: IG @friendsoffranzpod & FB @friendsoffranzpod

Christian Franz (Host): IG @chrsfranz & YT Christian Franz

Thankful to the season's brand partners: Clove, BETR Remedies, Eko, Lumify, RescueMD, Medical School for Kids, Your Skincare Expert, Twrl Milk Tea