Ola Didrik Saugstad1,2, Jin Ye Yeo3
1Department of Pediatric Research, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; 2Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Chicago, Illinois, USA; 3PM Editorial Office, AME Publishing Company
Correspondence to: Jin Ye Yeo. PM Editorial Office, AME Publishing Company. Email: pm@amegroups.com
This interview can be cited as: Saugstad OD, Yeo JY. Meeting the Associate Editor-in-Chief of PM: Dr. Ola Didrik Saugstad. Pediatr Med. 2024. Available from: https://pm.amegroups.org/post/view/meeting-the-associate-editor-in-chief-of-pm-dr-ola-didrik-saugstad.
Expert introduction
Dr. Ola Didrik Saugstad (Figure 1) is a Professor of Pediatrics and was Director of the Department of Pediatric Research at the University of Oslo, Norway, between 1991-2018. He was a researcher at the Oslo University Hospital and an Adjunct Professor at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago/Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, USA, in 2018. Dr. Saugstad was also a senior consultant of Neonatology at Oslo University Hospital from 1986-2017. He has a broad background in perinatal and neonatal medicine.
He has published more than 500 articles, of these 39 reviews, recorded in PubMed > 16000 citations (30,000 at Google) and a series of book chapters in international books in perinatal/ neonatal medicine. His work was supported by the Norwegian Council for Research (NFR) for 30 years, and some programs were supported by Norwegian private organizations, EU, NIH, Health Trust South East Norway, and EEA grants. He served on numerous committees, such as the European Society for Pediatric Research, the European Association of Perinatal Medicine (President 2002-2004), and is a member of the American Pediatric Society (USA), the International Academy of Perinatal Medicine, the Royal College of Physicians Edinburgh and the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters. He is an honorary member of various associations and societies, such as the Hungarian Association of Pediatrics, the Norwegian Society for Perinatal Medicine, the Finnish Society for Perinatal Medicine, and the European Association of Perinatal Medicine.
Figure 1 Dr. Ola Didrik Saugstad
Interview
PM: What initially inspired you to specialize in pediatrics and perinatal medicine?
Dr. Saugstad: When I was in medical school in Oslo, I became interested in pediatrics. In addition to medicine, I studied some chemistry and biochemistry, and all the biochemical aspects of pediatric diseases fascinated me. Furthermore, I have always loved to play with children and teach them. So, I found out that pediatrics is the ideal specialization for me. Another aspect was that, as a teenager, I experienced and observed how vulnerable children are. Children need adults who care for them, speak up for them, and protect them when their rights are threatened. I wanted to support children wherever they were. After completing medical school in 1973, I got the opportunity to start research in Perinatal Medicine at the University of Uppsala, Sweden, with the famous Gösta Rooth as my supervisor and supporter. From that moment, I decided to dedicate my professional life to newborn medicine.
PM: How have you seen the field of neonatal medicine evolve over the years, especially in terms of research, treatments, and technologies?
Dr. Saugstad: There has been a dramatic development in neonatal medicine during the 50 years I have been involved. The increased knowledge of physiology has been very important. A paradigmatic shift was when evidence-based medicine was introduced. Jack Sinclair from Canada was one of the key persons in this regard, and I was so fortunate to meet him on several occasions and develop a friendship with him. The introduction of surfactant therapy in 1980 was a game changer. Another breakthrough was the introduction of routine ultrasound examinations of the brain in 1979. It was a shock to see children with brain hemorrhages. This resulted in hectic research contributing to a dramatic reduction in brain injuries in the last 40 years. It has also been a privilege to follow the development in my own field: oxygenation of the newborn. The oxygen load given to sick newborn infants has been substantially reduced, especially in the last 20 years. The global neonatal mortality has also decreased substantially but is still too high.
PM: In your opinion, what are the controversial topics in pediatrics?
Dr. Saugstad: Within my own field of interest, it is how to oxygenate the most immature infants. We still need more knowledge regarding nutrition, and learning how to handle the ductus arteriosusis a never-ending process. Regarding the treatment of infants with severe chromosomal conditions, such as trisomy 13 and 18, there is now a movement initiated by parents to respect these individuals and give them medical support as needed. Treatment is now carried out at the limits of viability around 22 weeks gestational age. It is so important to pay respect to the vulnerable fetus and immature newborn infant.
PM: You have worked with several research organizations and funding bodies. How do you think international collaborations have influenced the development of neonatal medicine?
Dr. Saugstad: Coming from a small country, I have experienced and quickly understood that international collaboration and friendship are essential. I have participated in several international networks. As the present chairman of the scientific board of UENPS (Union of European Neonatal and Perinatal Societies), I have seen how important collaboration across borders is. I am also part of the group issuing European Guidelines on Respiratory Distress Syndrome. These guidelines have contributed extensively to the global development in newborn care.
In a world with war and crisis, I feel that I can contribute to promoting peace and understanding across boundaries, different political systems as well as different religions. One main thing I have learned by traveling to many parts of the world over the past 40 years is that in spite of disparities in cultural and political background, we human beings are also very similar. We have the same basic needs, and we all want the best for our children.
PM: You have published more than 500 articles and have received over 30,000 citations. Which of your studies or projects do you consider to be the most impactful in advancing neonatal care, and why?
Dr. Saugstad: My most important scientific contribution is the understanding that oxygen supplementation following a period of hypoxia/asphyxia may aggravate the damage. We showed that resuscitation of newborns at birth with the traditional 100% oxygen is increasing the mortality. Applying air instead of pure oxygen when newborns are resuscitated reduces mortality by approximately 30%. I am grateful and proud to have taken the initiative to change resuscitation practices so that term and near-term newborn infants who need resuscitation after birth are given air instead of pure oxygen. It is estimated that between 200,000-500,000 newborn deaths are prevented globally each year with this new routine.
PM: What do you think are the most pressing challenges in neonatal medicine today?
Dr. Saugstad: It is without doubt the high neonatal mortality in low-income countries. I am especially concerned about the situation for newborns in areas with war and crises. We know that war, terror, and financial crises hit newborn infants hardest because they are the most vulnerable. We also know that fetuses and newborn children are the most vulnerable if there comes a nuclear conflict somewhere in the world.
PM: What advice do you have for young doctors or researchers who would like to dive into the field of neonatal medicine?
Dr. Saugstad: You should follow your instincts and interests. We need young doctors who are ambassadors for newborn health. Focus on a few fields and follow these up over the years. It is important that many among us are dedicated continuously to our special interests to build competence.
PM: How has your experience been as an Editorial Board Member of PM? As the Associate Editor-in-Chief, what are your aspirations for PM?
Dr. Saugstad: It is a great honor to be the Associate Editor of PM. The editorial office is extremely efficient and helpful. I think this journal should reflect not only the international development in pediatrics but also the extremely rapid development of Chinese pediatrics. The huge Chinese networks combined with the accelerated increase in scientific competence is unique and is reflected in a rapid increase in high-class pediatric publications from China. This development is illustrated in the dramatic reduction in, for instance, neonatal mortality in the People’s Republic of China. The short-term aspiration is for PM to be included in PubMed, and a more long-term aspiration would be that the journal reflects the development of pediatrics worldwide. And most important of all, PM must continue to be a defender of children’s health - everywhere.