This episode explores the critical intersection of maternal mental health and child development, focusing on the implications of antidepressant use during pregnancy. Dr. Tim Oberlander discusses his extensive research on the effects of prenatal antidepressant exposure, the importance of managing maternal mental health, and the resilience of children despite various risk factors.

This conversation emphasizes the need for a balanced approach to treatment, considering both pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies, while addressing common misconceptions surrounding antidepressants and their effects on child development.

Learn more about the topics discussed in this episode:

Potential risks and benefits of prenatal selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor medications for maternal mental health and child development, Nature Mental Health

The question is not whether SSRIs are universally good or bad, but how best to support maternal mental health, Springer Nature Research Communities

An article that references the above work: Prenatal SSRI risks and benefits: Maternal, child impact, Scienmag

CANMAT’s clinical practice guidelines for the management of perinatal mood, anxiety, and related disorders: Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments 2024 Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Perinatal Mood, Anxiety, and Related Disorders, The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry

All episodes written and produced by the Research Communications team at BC Children's Hospital Research Institute.

Theme music: "Life Is Beautiful" by Anastasia Kir

This episode explores new research from BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR) that uses an innovative MRI technique to measure brain oxygen metabolism in preterm infants. Dr. Alexander Weber, an MRI biomedical engineer and investigator at BCCHR, explains how this safe, noninvasive method offers a clearer window into brain health during a critical stage of development.

The study looked at how different types of respiratory support were associated with brain oxygen use in very preterm babies. This conversation highlights the potential for quantitative MRI to guide more personalized neonatal care in the future.

Learn more about the topics discussed in this episode:

Assessing semiregional cerebral oxygen consumption (CMRO2) in preterm neonates: A quantitative MRI cohort study with exploratory analysis of respiratory support, NMR in Biomedicine

Please note that the NICU mentioned in this episode is located at BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre.

All episodes written and produced by the Research Communications team at BC Children's Hospital Research Institute.

Theme music: "Life Is Beautiful" by Anastasia Kir

Managing a child's food allergy can be an enormous source of stress. Constant vigilance, fear of accidental exposures, and navigating complicated meal plans can deeply impact a family's quality of life. But new research from BC Children's Hospital Research Institute highlights how one treatment option can alleviate certain psychosocial impacts of food allergies for parents and caregivers.

This episode focuses on the experiences of parents whose young children receive oral immunotherapy (OIT) — a well-established treatment that helps kids gradually build tolerance to allergenic foods. Dr. Lianne Soller shares findings showing that OIT not only improves clinical outcomes for kids with food allergies, but also reduces anxiety and increases quality of life for their parents and caregivers.

The conversation explores the broader emotional and practical challenges of parenting a child with food allergies — and how OIT is changing what long-term management can look like for families.

Learn more about topics discussed in this episode:

Preschool oral immunotherapy is associated with improved parental food allergy-specific anxiety and quality of life: A real-world observational study, Clinical & Experimental Allergy

Food Allergy Immunotherapy (FAIT) Program

All episodes written and produced by the Research Communications team at BC Children's Hospital Research Institute.

Theme music: "Life Is Beautiful" by Anastasia Kir