In this special anniversary edition of the Journal Club, Ben and Daphna celebrate four years of The Incubator Podcast while diving into a compelling lineup of neonatal studies. The episode kicks off with a review of a phase 2 multicenter trial on the safety of furosemide in preterm infants at risk for BPD. Despite widespread Lasix use in NICUs, data on dosing and safety have been lacking—this study finds no significant increase in serious adverse events but emphasizes the need for larger trials to better define its role. The team then explores a study from India comparing 7- vs. 14-day antibiotic courses in culture-proven neonatal sepsis, showing that shorter courses may be safe and effective in select populations.

Additional discussions include a randomized trial from Australia evaluating “sigh breaths” during high-frequency oscillatory ventilation and their effects on lung volume and oxygenation, a study examining how kangaroo mother care boosts breast milk intake, and a large Japanese cohort study detailing neurodevelopmental outcomes of infants born at 22–31 weeks. Finally, a meta-analysis on prenatal cannabis exposure underscores risks of low birth weight and preterm birth. With depth, humor, and clarity, Ben and Daphna guide listeners through evidence that shapes neonatal care.

Support the show

As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: [email protected]. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below.

Enjoy!

Neurodevelopmental outcomes at age 3 years of preterm infants born at 22-31 weeks' gestation.

Kono Y, Kusuda S, Nishida T, Mori R, Toyoshima K, Sasaki H, Yonemoto N, Uchiyama A, Fujimura M; INTACT Study Group.J Perinatol. 2025 Mar 26. doi: 10.1038/s41372-025-02268-3. Online ahead of print.PMID: 40140596

Support the show

As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: [email protected]. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below.

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Near-infrared spectroscopy during respiratory support at birth: a systematic review.

Monnelly V, Nakwa F, Josephsen JB, Schmölzer GM, Solevåg AL, Rabi Y, Wyckoff MH, Weiner GM, Liley HG; International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation Neonatal Life Support Task Force.Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2025 Apr 29:fetalneonatal-2025-328577. doi: 10.1136/archdischild-2025-328577. Online ahead of print.PMID: 40306761

Support the show

As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: [email protected]. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below.

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Prenatal Cannabis Use and Neonatal Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Lo JO, Ayers CK, Yeddala S, Shaw B, Robalino S, Ward R, Kansagara D.JAMA Pediatr. 2025 May 5:e250689. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2025.0689. Online ahead of print.PMID: 40323610

Support the show

As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: [email protected]. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below.

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Interprofessional perspectives on non-invasive respiratory support practices in extremely preterm infants: a Canadian survey.

Martinez TA, Remmer E, Mardakis S, Leone M, Boyer J, Lv S, Beltempo M, Sant'Anna G, Shalish W.J Perinatol. 2025 Apr 12. doi: 10.1038/s41372-025-02291-4. Online ahead of print.PMID: 40221609

Support the show

As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: [email protected]. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below.

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Effect of kangaroo mother care in low birth weight infants on human milk intake: a randomized controlled trial.

Sinha B, Mazumder S, Thakur A, Devi S, More D, Ashorn P, Sommerfelt H, Kurpad A, Bhandari N.Am J Clin Nutr. 2025 May;121(5):1109-1116. doi: 10.1016/j.ajcnut.2025.02.006. Epub 2025 Feb 11.PMID: 39947481 Free article. Clinical Trial.

Support the show

As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: [email protected]. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below.

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Intermittent sigh breaths during high-frequency oscillatory ventilation in preterm infants: a randomised crossover study.

Hough JL, Jardine L, Hough MJ, Steele M, Greisen G, Heiring C.Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2025 Apr 17;110(3):297-302. doi: 10.1136/archdischild-2024-327445.PMID: 39406472 Clinical Trial.

Support the show

As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: [email protected]. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below.

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Seven-day versus 14-day antibiotic course for culture-proven neonatal sepsis: a multicentre randomised non-inferiority trial in a low and middle-income country.

Dutta S, Nangia S, Jajoo M, Sundaram M, Kumar M, Shivanna N, Gathwala G, Nesargi S, Jain S, Kumar P, Saili A, Karthik A, Tripathi S, Bandiya P, Dalal P, Ray P, Randhawa VS, Saigal K, Radhakrishnan D, Venkatesh V, Jagannatha B, Sharma M, Nagaraj S, Malik M, Dogra S, Mittal S, Saini A, Makkar N, Dhir M, Chandramohan A, Pragati RA, Srivastava T, Mukundan L, Benakappa N, Shukla A, Rasaily R.Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2025 Apr 25:fetalneonatal-2024-328232. doi: 10.1136/archdischild-2024-328232. Online ahead of print.PMID: 40280737

Support the show

As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: [email protected]. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below.

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Furosemide Safety in Preterm Infants at Risk for Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Greenberg RG, Lang J, Smith PB, Shekhawat P, Courtney SE, Hudak ML, Moya F, Iyengar A, Eldemerdash A, Bloom B, Go M, Hanna M, Rhein L, Aliaga S, Lewis T, Febre A, Kiefer AS, Bhatt-Mehta V, Khoury JA, Selewski D, Anand R, Martz K, Payne EH, Zimmerman KO, Benjamin DK Jr, Laughon M; Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act – Pediatric Trials Network Steering Committee.J Pediatr. 2025 Apr 28:114629. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2025.114629. Online ahead of print.PMID: 40306549

Support the show

As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: [email protected]. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below.

Enjoy!

In this Journal Club episode, Ben and Daphna review several impactful studies shaping neonatal care. They begin with a secondary analysis of the ETTNO trial, which examined whether liberal transfusion thresholds reduce intermittent hypoxemia or improve neurodevelopmental outcomes in extremely low birth weight infants. Despite prior concerns, the study found no benefit to liberal thresholds, supporting current restrictive practices. A JAMA Network Open study follows, revealing that late preterm infants are least likely to receive mother’s own milk at 12 weeks, underscoring an overlooked group in breastfeeding support efforts. Dr. David Rube joins the show to discuss a two-year follow-up of the IN-RECSURE trial, which investigated whether lung recruitment before surfactant administration leads to improved long-term outcomes—ultimately showing no difference in death or disability. The hosts also explore a meta-analysis on umbilical cord blood therapy for children with cerebral palsy, highlighting benefits in motor function for younger children with milder CP when treated at higher doses. Additional topics include the association between funisitis and cerebral palsy in extremely preterm infants and the AZTEC trial’s conclusion that azithromycin does not reduce BPD. The episode concludes with a review of best practices for discussing autopsy with families in the NICU setting.

Support the show

As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: [email protected]. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below.

Enjoy!