Did you know that today, September 15 is Neonatal Nurses Day? Well it is. I have said it before and I will say it again, neonatal nurses are a breed all their own so why not dedicate a day to just them.
So to celebrate my profession, this week’s Thursday Thirteen is dedicated to the history of neonatology. It can be fascinating stuff, really. Okay, it is to me. So indulge me with this week’s thirteen. Who knows, you just might learn something. At the very least it will prepare you for a stint on Jeopardy.
The following is a VERY abbreviated timeline of neonatology. A more complete timeline can be found here.
1. 98-138 A.D.Soranus of Ephesus: Greek physician, practiced in Rome, wrote on midwifery and newborn care, influential into the 15th century
2. 1780: First use of oxygen in newborns
3. 1802: Opening of the Hôpital des Enfants-Malades in Paris, first children’s hospital.
4. 1834 Blundell: First description of endotracheal intubation for newborn resuscitation. An endotracheal tube is a small breathing tube inserted into a patient’s throat into their trachea to facilitate respiration
5. 1851 Marchant: First report of gavage feedings for infants. Gavage feedings are accomplished by introducing a thin, soft tube down a baby’s throat into their esophagus and into their stomach where milk is basically dripped into. The average preemie before 33-34 weeks gestation just does not know how to suck, swallow and breathe.
6. 1857Denucé:First published description of incubator in western literature
7. 1902 Heiderhain or Aue: First successful repair of a congenital diaphragmatic hernia. This is basically a hole in the diaphragm that allows the stomach and intestines to crowd the lungs which then can not expand.
8. 1908 Carrel: First transfusion for hemorrhagic disease of the newborn. Did I ever tell you that Daniel received a total of 16 blood transfusions while he was in the NICU?
9. 1938 Gross and Hubbard: Successful ligation of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in Boston. A PDA is a duct in an unborn baby’s heart that bypasses the lungs and so that oxygen and carbon dioxide can be exchanged through the placenta. After birth the duct usually closes. Daniel’s PDA ligation was done when he was 21 days old.
10. 1951 Campbell: Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) firt linked to oxygen use. Basically ROP can lead to detached retinas and blindness. Daniel did have ROP but his vision was spared with laser surgery so now he has better eyesight than his half-blind mother.
11. 1963: Patrick Bouvier Kennedy dies of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), 34 weeks gestation (6 weeks early), 2100 grams (4lbs 10oz). This death led to a push for more research and improvements in the care of premature infants.
12. 1990: FDA approval of surfactant therapy for RDS. The NICU I worked at in 1990 was one of the units that trialed the first artificial surfactants. This drug therapy hugely contributed in the ability to rescue babies born at less than 28-30 weeks (around 7 months) and greatly increased their odds for survival.
13. 1996: Center for Disease Control recommendations for Group B Strep prenatal screening and chemo prophylaxis. Amazing how a simple rectal swab of a pregnant woman and antibiotic therapy during labor greatly reduced newborn deaths related to Group B strep infections.
Thursday Thirteenis a blog meme with one purpose - to get to know bloggers better. Thirteen is the magic number - because Thursday Thirty is too many!
Every Thursday, bloggers jot down thirteen things about their week, Thirteen secrets they’ve never shared before, Thirteen random things about themselves or their lives that give the reader a better idea of who they are. Then the fun begins, you go bloghopping! Find other Thursday Thirteeners, spend some quality time getting to know your fellow bloggers, interact with them through their lists and invite them to yours! If you choose to play along, leave your link and below and definitely comment…if Blogger Beta will let you…oh forgt blogger beta’s comment non-issues! I am using Mr. Linky. So please, let the comments begin.Update: with help from my favorite blog designer,Susie, it is now safe to comment. My Mr. Linky is not working at all but comments are open now so comment away and give some love to Susie!
Hint: wish me a happy neonatal nurses’ day!
photo fromNeonatology on the Web
Did you know that today, September 15 is Neonatal Nurses Day? Well it is. I have said it before and I will say it again, neonatal nurses are a breed all their own so why not dedicate a day to just them.
So to celebrate my profession, this week’s Thursday Thirteen is dedicated to the history of neonatology. It can be fascinating stuff, really. Okay, it is to me. So indulge me with this week’s thirteen. Who knows, you just might learn something. At the very least it will prepare you for a stint on Jeopardy.
The following is a VERY abbreviated timeline of neonatology. A more complete timeline can be found here.
1. 98-138 A.D.Soranus of Ephesus: Greek physician, practiced in Rome, wrote on midwifery and newborn care, influential into the 15th century
2. 1780: First use of oxygen in newborns
3. 1802: Opening of the Hôpital des Enfants-Malades in Paris, first children’s hospital.
4. 1834 Blundell: First description of endotracheal intubation for newborn resuscitation. An endotracheal tube is a small breathing tube inserted into a patient’s throat into their trachea to facilitate respiration
5. 1851 Marchant: First report of gavage feedings for infants. Gavage feedings are accomplished by introducing a thin, soft tube down a baby’s throat into their esophagus and into their stomach where milk is basically dripped into. The average preemie before 33-34 weeks gestation just does not know how to suck, swallow and breathe.
6. 1857Denucé:First published description of incubator in western literature
7. 1902 Heiderhain or Aue: First successful repair of a congenital diaphragmatic hernia. This is basically a hole in the diaphragm that allows the stomach and intestines to crowd the lungs which then can not expand.
8. 1908 Carrel: First transfusion for hemorrhagic disease of the newborn. Did I ever tell you that Daniel received a total of 16 blood transfusions while he was in the NICU?
9. 1938 Gross and Hubbard: Successful ligation of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in Boston. A PDA is a duct in an unborn baby’s heart that bypasses the lungs and so that oxygen and carbon dioxide can be exchanged through the placenta. After birth the duct usually closes. Daniel’s PDA ligation was done when he was 21 days old.
10. 1951 Campbell: Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) firt linked to oxygen use. Basically ROP can lead to detached retinas and blindness. Daniel did have ROP but his vision was spared with laser surgery so now he has better eyesight than his half-blind mother.
11. 1963: Patrick Bouvier Kennedy dies of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), 34 weeks gestation (6 weeks early), 2100 grams (4lbs 10oz). This death led to a push for more research and improvements in the care of premature infants.
12. 1990: FDA approval of surfactant therapy for RDS. The NICU I worked at in 1990 was one of the units that trialed the first artificial surfactants. This drug therapy hugely contributed in the ability to rescue babies born at less than 28-30 weeks (around 7 months) and greatly increased their odds for survival.
13. 1996: Center for Disease Control recommendations for Group B Strep prenatal screening and chemo prophylaxis. Amazing how a simple rectal swab of a pregnant woman and antibiotic therapy during labor greatly reduced newborn deaths related to Group B strep infections.
Thursday Thirteenis a blog meme with one purpose - to get to know bloggers better. Thirteen is the magic number - because Thursday Thirty is too many!
Every Thursday, bloggers jot down thirteen things about their week, Thirteen secrets they’ve never shared before, Thirteen random things about themselves or their lives that give the reader a better idea of who they are. Then the fun begins, you go bloghopping! Find other Thursday Thirteeners, spend some quality time getting to know your fellow bloggers, interact with them through their lists and invite them to yours! If you choose to play along, leave your link and below and definitely comment…if Blogger Beta will let you…oh forgt blogger beta’s comment non-issues! I am using Mr. Linky. So please, let the comments begin.Update: with help from my favorite blog designer,Susie, it is now safe to comment. My Mr. Linky is not working at all but comments are open now so comment away and give some love to Susie!
Hint: wish me a happy neonatal nurses’ day!
photo fromNeonatology on the Web
Did you know that today, September 15 is Neonatal Nurses Day? Well it is. I have said it before and I will say it again, neonatal nurses are a breed all their own so why not dedicate a day to just them.
So to celebrate my profession, this week’s Thursday Thirteen is dedicated to the history of neonatology. It can be fascinating stuff, really. Okay, it is to me. So indulge me with this week’s thirteen. Who knows, you just might learn something. At the very least it will prepare you for a stint on Jeopardy.
The following is a VERY abbreviated timeline of neonatology. A more complete timeline can be found here.
1. 98-138 A.D.Soranus of Ephesus: Greek physician, practiced in Rome, wrote on midwifery and newborn care, influential into the 15th century
2. 1780: First use of oxygen in newborns
3. 1802: Opening of the Hôpital des Enfants-Malades in Paris, first children’s hospital.
4. 1834 Blundell: First description of endotracheal intubation for newborn resuscitation. An endotracheal tube is a small breathing tube inserted into a patient’s throat into their trachea to facilitate respiration
5. 1851 Marchant: First report of gavage feedings for infants. Gavage feedings are accomplished by introducing a thin, soft tube down a baby’s throat into their esophagus and into their stomach where milk is basically dripped into. The average preemie before 33-34 weeks gestation just does not know how to suck, swallow and breathe.
6. 1857Denucé:First published description of incubator in western literature
7. 1902 Heiderhain or Aue: First successful repair of a congenital diaphragmatic hernia. This is basically a hole in the diaphragm that allows the stomach and intestines to crowd the lungs which then can not expand.
8. 1908 Carrel: First transfusion for hemorrhagic disease of the newborn. Did I ever tell you that Daniel received a total of 16 blood transfusions while he was in the NICU?
9. 1938 Gross and Hubbard: Successful ligation of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in Boston. A PDA is a duct in an unborn baby’s heart that bypasses the lungs and so that oxygen and carbon dioxide can be exchanged through the placenta. After birth the duct usually closes. Daniel’s PDA ligation was done when he was 21 days old.
10. 1951 Campbell: Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) firt linked to oxygen use. Basically ROP can lead to detached retinas and blindness. Daniel did have ROP but his vision was spared with laser surgery so now he has better eyesight than his half-blind mother.
11. 1963: Patrick Bouvier Kennedy dies of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), 34 weeks gestation (6 weeks early), 2100 grams (4lbs 10oz). This death led to a push for more research and improvements in the care of premature infants.
12. 1990: FDA approval of surfactant therapy for RDS. The NICU I worked at in 1990 was one of the units that trialed the first artificial surfactants. This drug therapy hugely contributed in the ability to rescue babies born at less than 28-30 weeks (around 7 months) and greatly increased their odds for survival.
13. 1996: Center for Disease Control recommendations for Group B Strep prenatal screening and chemo prophylaxis. Amazing how a simple rectal swab of a pregnant woman and antibiotic therapy during labor greatly reduced newborn deaths related to Group B strep infections.
Thursday Thirteenis a blog meme with one purpose - to get to know bloggers better. Thirteen is the magic number - because Thursday Thirty is too many!
Every Thursday, bloggers jot down thirteen things about their week, Thirteen secrets they’ve never shared before, Thirteen random things about themselves or their lives that give the reader a better idea of who they are. Then the fun begins, you go bloghopping! Find other Thursday Thirteeners, spend some quality time getting to know your fellow bloggers, interact with them through their lists and invite them to yours! If you choose to play along, leave your link and below and definitely comment…if Blogger Beta will let you…oh forgt blogger beta’s comment non-issues! I am using Mr. Linky. So please, let the comments begin.Update: with help from my favorite blog designer,Susie, it is now safe to comment. My Mr. Linky is not working at all but comments are open now so comment away and give some love to Susie!
Hint: wish me a happy neonatal nurses’ day!
photo fromNeonatology on the Web