Episode 5 features Dr. Naveed Hussain, Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and Director, Neonatal Research and Neonatologist at Connecticut Children’s NICU at University of Connecticut Health Center in Farmington, CT. During the episode, Dr. Hussain provides an overview of transfusion associated NEC, or TANEC, as it relates primarily to extremely low birth weight babies, those weighing less than 1000 grams (2 pounds 3 ounces) or those born very premature at less than 28 weeks gestation, and who have the greatest risk for developing the disease. He discusses:

* The significant role of blood transfusions in the NICU, and the frequency with which they may be required

* What constitutes transfusion associated NEC, and some of the controversies surrounding TANEC

* The critical period after a blood transfusion when a premature baby may be most at risk for developing NEC

* Some of the correlations between blood transfusions, feedings, and NEC

* His current research focused on the epidemiology (patterns of occurrences) of NEC

* Additional technology and protocol trends in the prevention of NEC.

Copyright © 2015 The Morgan Leary Vaughan Fund, Inc. This episode was produced in part by the TeacherCast Educational Broadcasting Network.