1. Neonatal resuscitation
2. The safe use of oxygen and pressure
3. The safe use of the thermal environment
4. The use of expressed breastmilk
5. Implementing early developmental care and skin to skin contact.

Module 1: Hemodynamics of the NICU patient and the Golden Hour – Wednesday, March 3rd, 2021 at 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Dubai Time)

We will start our Neonatal Nursing Course with the introduction to hemodynamic system of newborns covering such topics as the transition from womb to the world, the Golden Hour, thermogenesis and thermo-neutral environment, heart rate, saturation and blood pressure. We will also be demonstrating a technology insight on how to maintain thermo-neutral environment and handle a baby in the incubator.

The lecture will be presented by Linda Pretorius, Developmental Care Consultant, South Africa and hands-on demonstration will be performed with Dräger Isolette 8000+ incubator by Margarita Singer, Regional Marketing Manager Neonatal Care, Dräger.

COMPLETED

Module 2: Neonatal Resuscitation – Thursday, April 1st, 2021 at 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Dubai Time)

Based on a first study of 71 689 infants born in a hospital setting in Zambia indicates that an education program focused on thermal protection, neonatal resuscitation, early breastfeeding, skin-to-skin care with the mother, recognition of infant danger signs, and initial management effectively lowered the early neonatal mortality rate from 11.5 in 1000 to 6.8 in 1000 live births*. During this module we will focus on the pyramid of neonatal resuscitation, behavioral skills necessary for neonatal nurses, resuscitation algorithms and required equipment to ensure safe resuscitation of newborns.

The lecture will be presented by Linda Pretorius, Developmental Care Consultant, South Africa and hands-on demonstration will be performed with Dräger Resuscitaire, neonatal resuscitation open care warmer by Margarita Singer, Regional Marketing Manager Neonatal Care, Dräger.

^{*Carlo W.A. at al “Newborn Care Training of Midwives and Neonatal and Perinatal Mortality Rates in a Developing Country”, Pediatrics November 2010, 126 (5) e1064-e1071; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2009-3464}

COMPLETED

Module 3: Respiratory System and mechanical ventilation Part I – Thursday, May 20th, 2021 at 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Dubai Time)

Neonatal ventilation is an important part of the care you deliver in the NICU – but ventilation of preemies and neonates remains a substantial challenge for even the most experienced caregiver. During this webinar we will focus anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system of pre-term infants, gaseous exchange, pulmonary resistance and compliance. We will address the importance of surfactant administration and various techniques how it can be administered. We will also present basic neonatal ventilation strategies to offer a deeper understanding on how to avoid damage to the immature respiratory systems and brains of premature babies.

The lecture will be presented by Linda Pretorius, Developmental Care Consultant, South Africa and hands-on demonstration will be performed with Dräger Babylog VN600, neonatal ventilator by Margarita Singer, Regional Marketing Manager Neonatal Care, Dräger.

COMPLETED

Module 3: Respiratory System and mechanical ventilation Part II – Wednesday, June 9th, 2021, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Dubai Time)

Immature lungs and underdeveloped breathing require extremely gentle ventilation and advanced technology. The aim of any ventilation strategy is therefore to support the premature infant’s respiratory system without inducing damage to the lung or the brain. During this webinar we will discuss pathophysiology of lung injury and the most common lung injuries associated with lung immaturity and mechanical ventilation such as Transient Tachypnoea of the Newborn, Meconium Aspiration Syndrome, Congenital Pneumonia, Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia and Hypoplastic lung. We will also present advanced ventilation strategies such as High Frequency Oscillatory Ventilation.

The lecture will be presented by Linda Pretorius, Developmental Care Consultant, South Africa and hands-on demonstration will be performed with Dräger Babylog VN600, neonatal ventilator by Margarita Singer, Regional Marketing Manager Neonatal Care, Dräger.

COMPLETED

Module 4: Cardiovascular System - Thursday, July 8th, 2021,11:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Dubai Time)

At birth, major changes take place. The umbilical cord is clamped, and the baby no longer receives oxygen and nutrients from the mother. With the first breaths of air, the lungs start to expand, and the ductus arteriosus and the foramen ovale both close. Separation from the placenta causes a change in significant vascular pressures in the neonate. Pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) decreases with increased blood oxygen content, while the systemic vascular resistance (SVR) increases as a result of the loss of the low-pressure placenta**. During this webinar we will cover embryology, cardiovascular system and fetal circulation, cardiac dynamics, cord clamping and changes at birth.

The lecture will be presented by Linda Pretorius, Developmental Care Consultant, South Africa and hands-on demonstration will be performed with Dräger transport incubator TI500 by Margarita Singer, Regional Marketing Manager Neonatal Care, Dräger.

^{**Doherty TM, Hu A, Salik I. Physiology, Neonatal. [Updated 2020 May 7]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539840/}

COMPLETED

Module 5: Gastro-intestinal tract System – Thursday, September 9th, 2021 2:00 PM –  5:00 PM (Dubai Time)

In early preterm neonates (less than 28 gestational weeks [GW]), birth constitutes a nutritional emergency in which the neonate has high nutritional needs that are difficult to meet***. One contributing factor to the nutritional emergency is the relatively undeveloped gastrointestinal system of premature neonates that limits their ability to utilize enteral nutrition. During this module we will focus on Anatomy and Physiology of the GIT system of a newborn and possible deceases that may affect outcome of premature infants. We will highlight the importance of colostrum and breastmilk and feeding in the NICU.

The lecture will be presented by Linda Pretorius, Developmental Care Consultant, South Africa.

^{*** Harding JE, Cormack BE, Alexander T, Alsweiler JM, and Bloomfield FH (2017) Advances in nutrition of the newborn infant. Lancet 389:1660-1668}

COMPLETED

Module 6: Renal System – Thursday, October 7th, 2021, 11:00 AM –  2:00 PM (Dubai Time) 

The renal system plays a tremendous role in growth and development of infants and children. The kidney itself also undergoes a maturation process as it transitions from the foetal to the extrauterine environment. Renal function continues to undergo further adaptive changes in the neonatal period. It is important for the clinician caring for neonates to be aware of the expected fluid shifts, electrolyte handling, and renal functional capacity as these “normal” changes will become quite relevant when medical or surgical pathology is present.**** During this lecture we will discuss embryology of the renal system and the challenges associated with the premature kidney. We will also discuss pathophysiology of Acute Renal Injury in neonates and Hyponatraemia. Furthermore, we will provide some details on the optimized Nursing care and Family centred care to ensure positive outcome for preterm infants.

The lecture will be presented by Linda Pretorius, Developmental Care Consultant, South Africa.

^{****Sulemanji, M. and Vakili, K.” Neonatal renal physiology”, Seminars in Paediatric Surgery, Volume 22, Issue 4, 2013, Pages 195-198, ISSN 1055-8586, https://doi.org/10.1053/j.sempedsurg.2013.10.008.}

COMPLETED

Module 7: Endocrine System – Wednesday, November 10th, 2021, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Dubai Time)

Endocrine disorders are common in infants in the neonatal ICU. They often are associated with prematurity, low birth weight or very low birth weight, and small size for gestational age. They also frequently occur in infants who are critically ill or stressed. This webinar will describe the most common conditions, such as Hyperglycaemia and Hypocalaemia, and current knowledge regarding management using Cortisol and oxytocin. We will also address neonatal jaundice and the developmental issues associated with it. As a technology insight we will demonstrate how to screen for jaundice and to use gentle and effective phototherapy treatment when needed.

The lecture will be presented by Linda Pretorius, Developmental Care Consultant, South Africa and hands-on demonstration will be performed with Dräger Jaundice Meter JM105 and phototherapy light Bililux by Margarita Singer, Regional Marketing Manager Neonatal Care, Dräger.

COMPLETED

Module 8: Neurological System – Wednesday, December 8th, 2021, 11:00 AM  – 2:00 PM (Dubai Time)

Premature infants are vulnerable to destructive brain injury and disturbed neurological development. Perinatal/neonatal brain injury is a leading cause of growth and development impairments of the brain and central nervous system. To improve long-term quality of life for high-risk newborns and high-risk preterm newborns it is essential to have the right tools to prevent long term brain injuries that may occur before, during or right after birth. During this webinar we will discuss fetal development and the functions affecting brain development. Neurologic assessment of the neonate and related diagnostic techniques will be shared during the webinar, as are selected pathophysiologic problems that affect the central and peripheral nervous systems. We will also examine the neurologic problems including neonatal seizures, intracranial hemorrhage, brain injury in preterm infants, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), structural alterations, and other birth injuries.

The lecture will be presented by Linda Pretorius, Developmental Care Consultant, South Africa.

COMPLETED