The Incubator

Send us a textIn this special Tech Tuesday episode of The Incubator Podcast, Ben and Daphna sit down with Dr. Joanna Parga-Belinkie—neonatologist, author, and co-host of the AAP's Pediatrics on Call podcast. They dive into her new book, The Baby Bonding Book: Connecting with Your Newborn, a resource designed to demystify early parenting through a blend of evidence-based guidance and real-world experience.Joanna shares how her background in neonatology and her work in both NICU and newborn nursery settings shaped the stories and structure of the book. The conversation highlights the overwhelming amount of information modern parents face, and how the book's approachable format aims to reduce stress and empower bonding. The team discusses the science behind early relational health, how clinicians can better support families, and the importance of maintaining humanity in both parenting and medical practice.Whether you're a parent, provider, or someone interested in pediatric health communication, this episode offers insights into bridging clinical knowledge with compassionate storytelling—and why it's critical for both family well-being and professional growth. As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. 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!

Send us a textIn this week's episode, Ben and Daphna sit down with Michelle Kelly, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and Associate Professor at Villanova University. Michelle is a leading voice in recognizing the lasting impact of preterm birth on long-term health. She shares insights from her co-authored article, Addressing Preterm Birth History with Clinical Practice Recommendations Across the Life Course, which outlines how a history of prematurity should inform lifelong clinical care.The conversation highlights the gap between neonatal and adult healthcare systems, and why identifying preterm birth history should be a routine part of medical assessments. Michelle also discusses practical strategies to educate families, empower survivors of prematurity, and shift provider assumptions about long-term outcomes. This episode offers a thoughtful and grounded discussion on turning early-life health factors into actionable care across the lifespan. As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. 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!

Send us a textIn this episode of Beyond the Beeps, Leah discusses the journey of NICU families, focusing on gastroschisis, a condition where a baby's intestines are outside the body at birth. Ruby Bacardi shares her personal experience with her son Oliver, who was born with gastroschisis and spent three months in the NICU. The conversation explores the emotional challenges, medical insights, and the importance of support for families navigating this journey. Dr. Daphna Yasova Barbeau provides medical perspectives, while Ruby emphasizes the significance of cherishing small victories and finding hope amidst uncertainty.As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. 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!

Send us a textIn this week's Journal Club, Ben and Daphna unpack a wide range of recent neonatal studies with pragmatic, practice-centered discussion. First, they explore a study on low-dose dexamethasone for BPD in preterm infants, showing potential benefits in brain development and motor outcomes—despite ongoing concerns about long-term effects. Next, they discuss a large dataset analysis of oxygen and respiratory support trajectories in extremely preterm infants, offering real-world FiO2 trends and benchmarks that may help frame clinical decisions and counseling.They also examine the diagnostic limits of consumer-grade pulse oximeters, like the Owlet, comparing their accuracy to hospital-grade monitors—raising real concerns about missed events. A safe sleep initiative study offers evidence that modeling and education during birth hospitalization can improve post-discharge sleep practices, especially across different demographic groups. Finally, they review parent engagement with NICU-focused online health communities, identifying both the benefits and potential friction these platforms create in team-family communication.From cerebral oxygenation during kangaroo care to the use of enemas in ELBW infants, this episode covers it all—with a focus on what clinicians can take back to the bedside.Listen in and join the conversation.  As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. 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!

Send us a textThe new normal: parental use of online health communities in the NICU.Adams SY, Tucker R, Lechner BE.Pediatr Res. 2022 Jun;91(7):1827-1833. doi: 10.1038/s41390-021-01684-3. Epub 2021 Aug 17.PMID: 34404928As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. 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!

Send us a textHydrostatic low-volume enemas in infants with birth weight ≤1000 g or gestational age ≤28 weeks: A controlled interventional study.Stock T, Kamp AM, Waitz M, Riedl-Seifert T, Jenke AC.J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2025 May 8. doi: 10.1002/jpn3.70055. Online ahead of print.PMID: 40344423As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. 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!

Send us a textNeonatologists' perceptions of uncertainty: a national survey.Rholl E, Krick JA, Leuthner SR, Pan AY, Challa SA, Kukora S.J Perinatol. 2025 Apr 19. doi: 10.1038/s41372-025-02292-3. Online ahead of print.PMID: 40253559 No abstract available.As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. 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!

Send us a textThe effect of maternal position on cerebral oxygenation in premature infants during Kangaroo care: a randomised controlled trial.Stapleton I, Murphy S, Vaughan S, Walsh BH, Natchimuthu K, Livingstone V, Dempsey E.J Perinatol. 2025 Apr 5. doi: 10.1038/s41372-025-02287-0. Online ahead of print.PMID: 40186001As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. 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!

Send us a textA Hospital-Based Initiative for Infant Safe Sleep Practice.Decker CM, Dunlevey E, Nguyen L, Stence KJ, McCarty E, Jean-Charles TG, Trego T, Ma ZQ.Pediatrics. 2025 Feb 1;155(2):e2024067659. doi: 10.1542/peds.2024-067659.PMID: 39799962As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. 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!

Send us a textDiagnostic accuracy of an over-the-counter infant pulse oximeter for cardiorespiratory events.Travers CP, Nakhmani A, Armstead KM, Benz RL, Foshee KM, Carlo WA.Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2025 May 12:fetalneonatal-2025-328540. doi: 10.1136/archdischild-2025-328540. Online ahead of print.PMID: 40355254As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. 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!

Send us a textTrajectory of Postnatal Oxygen Requirement in Extremely Preterm Infants.Groves AM, Bennett MM, Loyd J, Clark RH, Tolia VN.J Pediatr. 2025 Feb;277:114414. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2024.114414. Epub 2024 Nov 20.PMID: 39577761As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. 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!

Send us a textPostnatal dexamethasone treatment for preterm infants at high risk for bronchopulmonary dysplasia is associated with improved regional brain volumes: a prospective cohort study.Chandwani R, Kline J, Altaye M, Parikh N.Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2025 May 13:fetalneonatal-2024-328438. doi: 10.1136/archdischild-2024-328438. Online ahead of print.PMID: 40360237As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. 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!

Send us a textToday we are joined by Dr Radhika Madali, who is a third year NICU fellow from Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY. We talked about the QI efforts that she took during her fellowship in implementing faster enteral feed advancement and early fortification in a level IV neonatal intensive care unit. She shared the multidisciplinary experience that she developed with this project and also appreciates the support and mentorship she received. Radhika also shared insights on other projects that she got involved in- notably investigating the impact of glycemic variability on treatment-requiring ROP. She shared about her experience being a representative to the Fellowship Recruitment Action Team (FRAT) from the AAP Section on Pediatric Training. As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. 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!

Send us a textIn this episode of At The Bench, Drs. Misty Good and Betsy Crouch speak with Dr. Stephanie Gaw, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at UCSF, about her path to becoming a physician-scientist and her translational research on placental infections. Dr. Gaw shares how early lab experiences, time in the Peace Corps, and a pivot from infectious disease to OB-GYN shaped her focus on maternal immunity and global health.The conversation covers Dr. Gaw's work on sepsis in pregnancy, COVID-19 and RSV vaccine responses, and congenital infections like syphilis. She also discusses her approach to building and managing a large placental biorepository, and the importance of thoughtful sample collection for reliable research outcomes. The episode includes practical insights on balancing clinical duties with research, the benefits of peer mentorship, and how clinical observations can drive lab-based investigation.This discussion offers a clear look into the realities and rewards of bridging bedside observations with bench research in maternal-fetal medicine. It's a valuable listen for early-career physician-scientists and anyone interested in the complexities of immunology, placental biology, and perinatal infection.As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. 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!

Send us a textIn this week's episode of NeoNews, the team reflects on a quiet Mother's Day before diving into a full slate of stories touching the emotional and political corners of neonatal care. First up: parenting in the digital age. The crew unpacks a gripping New York Times essay by Amanda Hess, whose prenatal diagnosis of Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome led her down the rabbit hole of medical Googling, Facebook support groups, and the complicated power of online communities for medically complex families.Then, we turn to formula safety and the Biden administration's new “Operation Stork Speed.” The team discusses the implications for NICU care, parental anxiety, and advocacy in the wake of increased scrutiny over heavy metals and contaminants in infant formula. From there, we navigate the ripple effects of tariffs on medical supplies, pharmacy deserts, and drug shortages—all of which directly impact the NICU.Rounding out the show: U.S. birth rates now favor parents over 40 versus teens, RSV vaccines show impressive real-world results, and new research questions everything we thought we knew about preemie blood pressures.Packed with insight, outrage, and a few Dumbo references, this episode covers the headlines shaping neonatal care and the families we serve. As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. 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!

Send us a textIn this conversation, the guests from World Pediatrics discuss their mission to improve pediatric healthcare, particularly focusing on neonatal care. They highlight the significant global issues of infant mortality and the need for advanced healthcare access in underserved communities. The discussion covers the organization's history, the shift towards neonatal care, funding challenges, and the importance of building sustainable partnerships with local governments and communities. They also explore innovative strategies for capacity building and the adaptability of their programs in different settings. This conversation delves into the challenges and strategies of pediatric care in the Eastern Caribbean, focusing on the OECS. The speakers discuss the importance of regional cooperation, capacity building initiatives, and the need for community-centric approaches to healthcare. They highlight the significance of data sharing, training, and sustainable practices in improving neonatal care across the islands. The discussion also emphasizes the role of organizations like World Pediatrics in facilitating these efforts and the importance of connecting with healthcare professionals to enhance pediatric health outcomes.Contact: Contact - World PediatricsAs always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. 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!

Send us a textIn 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. As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. 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!

Send us a textNeurodevelopmental 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: 40140596As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. 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!

Send us a textNear-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: 40306761As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. 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!

Send us a textPrenatal 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: 40323610As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. 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!

Send us a textInterprofessional 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: 40221609As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. 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!

Send us a textEffect 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.As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. 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!

Send us a textIntermittent 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.As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. 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!

Send us a textSeven-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: 40280737As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. 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!

Send us a textFurosemide 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: 40306549As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. 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!

Send us a textThis week on Tech Tuesday, we sit down with Dr. Theodor Uzamere, a graduating neonatology fellow from Texas Children's Hospital, to explore an inspiring project that brings creativity and compassion to the NICU bedside. Theodor introduces us to the Consult Cards — a thoughtful, low-tech innovation designed to support families navigating the overwhelming world of neonatal intensive care.Rooted in his love for consults and desire to improve communication during high-stress conversations, Theodor created a deck of color-coded, parent-friendly flashcards that cover essential NICU topics: diseases, respiratory support, nutrition, imaging, and vocabulary. Drawing from his own study strategies and guided by feedback from NICU family focus groups, these cards aim to reduce anxiety, improve understanding, and foster meaningful engagement between families and the medical team.We discuss the process of developing, evaluating, and iterating on the cards, and how Theodor hopes to expand their reach. More than just an educational tool, the Consult Cards empower families to participate actively in their baby's care. If you're passionate about patient-centered communication and innovation in neonatology, this conversation will move and motivate you. For collaboration opportunities, Theodor's contact details are: theodoruzamere@gmail.com As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. 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!

Send us a textIn this inspiring and deeply informative episode of The Incubator Podcast, Dr. Audrey Miller, neonatologist at Nationwide Children's Hospital and newly appointed Medical Director of their BPD Service, joins the hosts to unpack the intricacies of chronic lung disease care and her rapid career ascent. Miller outlines the five key principles guiding her team's nationally recognized approach to BPD: ventilator strategies tailored to BPD physiology, aggressive infection prevention, proactive pulmonary hypertension screening, prioritization of linear growth, and uncompromising developmental care.She shares the rationale behind “slow lung” ventilation, the importance of recharacterizing infants as they evolve from micro-preemies to complex chronic patients, and how individualized, patient-driven care often begins by doing less, not more. Beyond technical insights, Miller reflects on the professional mentorship and collaborative culture that propelled her into leadership just two years post-fellowship.She offers candid advice on tackling imposter syndrome, embracing delegation, and building confidence in administration—while remaining anchored in purpose. Whether you're a fellow exploring BPD, a clinician curious about slow lung strategies, or an early-career neonatologist navigating your next move, Miller's perspective is both practical and empowering. This is a must-listen for anyone thinking seriously about the future of chronic care in neonatology. As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. 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!

Send us a textIn this episode of the Incubator, David McCulley and Misty Good talk with Dr. Satyan Lakshminrusimha, a leading figure in neonatology and physician-scientist who discusses his journey from clinician to researcher, the significance of large animal studies in neonatal care, and the impact of research on clinical guidelines. They explore the importance of mentorship, the challenges of conducting neonatology physician-scientist research, and the leadership roles in the field of neonatology. Dr. Lakshminrusimha discusses his journey in neonatology, emphasizing the importance of the mentorship he received, the inspiration he finds in mentoring others, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the evolving role of AI in healthcare. He reflects on the significance of nurturing future leaders in medicine and the need for fairness and transparency in departments of pediatrics. The discussion also touches on the intersection of art and science, showcasing how creativity can enhance medical education and communication.As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. 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!

Send us a textIn this week's episode of NeoNews, the team takes a deep dive into global fertility trends and the complex forces shaping the future of parenthood. The conversation starts with a discussion on worldwide declines in fertility rates, highlighting the economic pressures and societal shifts that are making the decision to have children more difficult across the globe. The hosts reflect on how financial instability, the high cost of living, and long-term uncertainty are reshaping family planning choices — even in countries with strong social support systems.The discussion moves into the emerging markets around fertility treatments, shedding light on the ethical complexities of the global egg donation industry. Later, the team explores the rising challenges in pediatric and neonatology workforce training, offering insights into the evolving demands of the medical field. Finally, the group reviews new research on the microbiome, developmental care in the NICU, and how income mobility impacts child health outcomes.Throughout the episode, the hosts share honest, thoughtful reflections on the heavy pressures families and healthcare providers face today. It's a conversation about hope, hardship, and the small ways we can support the next generation, even amid a changing world. As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. 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!

Send us a textIn this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr Kelsey Kirkman who is now a third year Neonatology fellow at Texas Children's Hospital. Kelsey shared with us her primary fellow project on creating a debrief tool for residents following critical events in the NICU. She describes in depth about how she came up with this idea and how she found her mentor to help support and navigate her medical education interest.  We talked about medical education theories and how to perform a thematic analysis. We talk about her challenges in implementing her project and how she tackled them. We also discussed how she took her medical education research to the next level by pursuing a Masters in Medical education through UT Houston. She shared insights on how she balanced fellowship training with her masters. Kelsey also shared her lessons learnt from her experience and provided some of the resources that helped her understand medical education better. Kelsey hopes to have a medical career in a leadership role, leading a training program, and applying her knowledge in medical education in improving neonatology subspeciality training.  As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. 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!

Send us a textLeah and Shakeema Smiley discuss the challenges and triumphs of navigating life with a child in the NICU, particularly focusing on the experience of having a tracheostomy. Shakeema shares her personal journey with her daughter Lori, who was born prematurely and required extensive medical care. The conversation highlights the emotional and practical aspects of caring for a child with special needs, the importance of advocacy, and the power of hope and community support.As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. 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!

Send us a textIn 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. As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. 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!

Send us a textAdvancing neonatal autopsy by strengthening physician belief and fostering effective family communication.Kratimenos P, Simonti G, Kinney HC.Pediatr Res. 2025 Mar 31. doi: 10.1038/s41390-025-04031-y. Online ahead of print.PMID: 40164873As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. 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!

Send us a textAzithromycin therapy for prevention of chronic lung disease of prematurity (AZTEC): a multicentre, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial.Lowe J, Gillespie D, Aboklaish A, Lau TMM, Consoli C, Babu M, Goddard M, Hood K, Klein N, Thomas-Jones E, Turner M, Hubbard M, Marchesi J, Berrington J, Kotecha S.Lancet Respir Med. 2024 Aug;12(8):608-618. doi: 10.1016/S2213-2600(24)00079-1. Epub 2024 Apr 25.PMID: 38679042 Free article. Clinical Trial. As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. 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!

Send us a textFunisitis increases the risk of death or cerebral palsy in extremely preterm infants.Jain VG, Parikh NA, Rysavy MA, Shukla VV, Saha S, Hintz S, Jobe A, Carlo WA, Ambalavanan N; Eunice Kennedy Shriver NICHD Neonatal Research Network.Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2025 As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. 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!

Send us a textCord Blood Treatment for Children With Cerebral Palsy: Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis.Finch-Edmondson M, Paton MCB, Webb A, Reza Ashrafi M, Blatch-Williams RK, Cox CS Jr, Crompton K, Griffin AR, Kim M, Kosmach S, Kurtzberg J, Nouri M, Ri Suh M, Sun J, Zarrabi M, Novak I.Pediatrics. 2025 Apr 11:e2024068999. doi: 10.1542/peds.2024-068999. Online ahead of print.PMID: 40210215As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. 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!

Send us a textLung Recruitment Before Surfactant Administration in Extremely Preterm Neonates: 2-Year Follow-Up of a Randomized Clinical Trial.Gallini F, De Rose DU, Iuliano R, Romeo DM, Tana M, Paladini A, Fusco FP, Nobile S, Cota F, Tirone C, Aurilia C, Lio A, Esposito A, Costa S, D'Andrea V, Ventura ML, Carnielli V, Dani C, Mosca F, Fumagalli M, Scarpelli G, Giordano L, Fasolato V, Petrillo F, Betta P, Solinas A, Gitto E, Gargano G, Mescoli G, Martinelli S, Di Fabio S, Bernardo I, Tina LG, Staffler A, Stasi I, Mondello I, Scapillati E, Vedovato S, Maffei G, Bove A, Vitaliti M, Terrin G, Lago P, Gizzi C, Strozzi C, Villani PE, Berardi A, Cacace C, Bracaglia G, Pascucci E, Cools F, Pillow JJ, Polglase G, Pastorino R, van Kaam AH, Mercuri E, Orfeo L, Vento G; IN-REC-SUR-E Study Group; Malguzzi S, Rigotti C, Cecchi A, Nigro G, Costabile CD, Roma E, Sindico P, Venafra R, Mattia C, Conversano M, Ballardini E, Manganaro A, Balestri E, Gallo C, Catenazzi P, Astori MG, Maranella E, Grassia C, Maiolo K, Castellano D, Massenzi L, Chiodin E, Gallina MR, Consigli C, Sorrentino E, Bonato S, Mancini M, Perniola R, Giannuzzo S, Tranchina E, Cardilli V, Dito L, Regoli D, Tormena F, Battajon N, Arena R, Allais B, Guidotti I, Roversi F, Meli V, Tulino V, Casati A.JAMA Netw Open. 2024 Sep 3;7(9):e2435347. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.35347.PMID: 39320892 Free PMC article. Clinical Trial.As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. 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!

Send us a textMother's Own Milk Provision During the First 12 Weeks of Life by Gestational Age.Patel AL, Wilson J, Holmes M, Johnson TJ.JAMA Netw Open. 2025 Mar 3;8(3):e250024. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.0024.PMID: 40042846 Free PMC article.As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. 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!

Send us a textEffects of liberal versus restrictive transfusion strategies on intermittent hypoxaemia in extremely low birthweight infants: secondary analyses of the ETTNO randomised controlled trial.Franz AR, Engel C, Bassler D, Rüdiger M, Thome UH, Maier RF, Krägeloh-Mann I, Essers J, Bührer C, Bittrich HJ, Roll C, Höhn T, Ehrhardt H, Boettger R, Körner HT, Stein A, Neuberger P, Henriksen TB, Greisen G, Poets CF; ETTNO Investigators.Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2025 Mar 26:fetalneonatal-2024-327643. doi: 10.1136/archdischild-2024-327643. Online ahead of print.PMID: 40139741As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. 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!

Send us a textIn this episode, Dr. Marlon Timothy shares his journey as a neonatologist, discussing his experiences in Trinidad and Tobago and the evolution of neonatal care. He highlights the challenges faced upon returning from training in Toronto, the establishment of neonatal units, and the implementation of therapeutic hypothermia. Dr. Timothy emphasizes the importance of training and collaboration in improving neonatal outcomes and shares insights into the ongoing efforts to enhance maternal and neonatal health in Trinidad and Tobago. In this conversation, Dr. Marlon Timothy discusses various innovative interventions in neonatal care, the importance of funding and government support, the training and development of neonatologists, the role of research and data in improving care, and the challenges of maintaining work-life balance in a demanding field. He emphasizes the need for global collaboration to enhance neonatal outcomes and shares insights from his experiences in Trinidad and Tobago.As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. 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!

Send us a textIn this episode of The Incubator, Ben and Daphna speak with Dr. Scott Duncan, Division Chief at the University of Louisville, about the critical importance of medical billing and coding in neonatology. The discussion explores how accurate documentation and thoughtful use of codes can impact everything from individual reimbursement to hospital funding and staffing. Dr. Duncan explains the key differences between critical care and intensive care coding, highlighting how misunderstanding these definitions can lead to missed opportunities for appropriate billing. The conversation also delves into the complexities of CPT and ICD-10 codes, bundled versus unbundled services, and how Diagnosis-Related Group (DRG) systems influence hospital revenue. They discuss how proper coding affects downstream resources, including staffing, and why the financial viability of neonatal units depends in part on getting this right. Dr. Duncan reflects on the need for better education in this area, particularly for trainees, and shares practical resources and upcoming initiatives aimed at helping clinicians build this essential skill set. This episode offers an eye-opening look at a topic often overlooked in medical training, but vital to the sustainability of neonatal care. As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. 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!

Send us a textIn this Tech Tuesday episode, Ben and Daphna welcome Xina Quan, co-founder and CEO of PyrAmes, to introduce a groundbreaking neonatal device: the Boppli. Developed from Stanford research, the Boppli is a non-invasive, wearable blood pressure monitor that provides continuous, real-time readings—without the need for cuffs or arterial catheters.FDA-cleared for babies under five kilograms, the Boppli uses a soft, adhesive-free band that wraps gently around an extremity. Backed by 3,400 hours of clinical validation, the Boppli has shown accuracy approaching that of invasive arterial lines according to the team at Pyrames.Ben and Daphna explore how this innovation could reshape blood pressure monitoring for hypotensive and unstable neonates. Quan shares her vision of the Boppli becoming as commonplace as pulse oximetry in NICUs—empowering care teams with precise, painless data they can finally trust.As she puts it, “Half the battle is having good data—this is a way to finally get it.” As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. 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!

Send us a textIn this week's Journal Club, Ben and Daphna dissect six critical studies reshaping our understanding of neonatal care. Kicking off with the Canadian Neonatal Network's multicenter cohort on inhaled nitric oxide (iNO), they explore how early pulmonary hypertension responsiveness to iNO may predict survival in preterm infants. They then examine a poignant study on maternal decision regret following extremely preterm births, revealing elevated regret across all pathways—comfort, active care, or otherwise—underscoring the emotional complexity of shared decision-making. The duo dives into data from the NICHD Neonatal Research Network on how even a single dose of antenatal steroids improves outcomes incrementally by the hour, strengthening the case for early administration. Ben highlights an AI-driven TPN algorithm that may outperform clinicians in individualized nutrition planning, while Daphna introduces an unexpected intervention—xylitol chewing gum—to reduce preterm birth in low-resource settings. Rounding out the discussion is a provocative look at intermittent hypoxemia as a predictor of systemic hypertension and the landmark NICHD trial on therapeutic hypothermia for infants 33–35 weeks GA. With a striking 87% probability of harm, this trial challenges the current drift toward “cooling creep.” Essential listening for any neonatologist seeking evidence-based clarity in an ever-evolving field. As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. 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!

Send us a textWhole-Body Hypothermia for Neonatal Encephalopathy in Preterm Infants 33 to 35 Weeks' Gestation: A Randomized Clinical Trial.Faix RG, Laptook AR, Shankaran S, Eggleston B, Chowdhury D, Heyne RJ, Das A, Pedroza C, Tyson JE, Wusthoff C, Bonifacio SL, Sánchez PJ, Yoder BA, Laughon MM, Vasil DM, Van Meurs KP, Crawford MM, Higgins RD, Poindexter BB, Colaizy TT, Hamrick SEG, Chalak LF, Ohls RK, Hartley-McAndrew ME, Dysart K, D'Angio CT, Guillet R, Kicklighter SD, Carlo WA, Sokol GM, DeMauro SB, Hibbs AM, Cotten CM, Merhar SL, Bapat RV, Harmon HM, Sewell E, Winter S, Natarajan G, Mosquera R, Hintz SR, Maitre NL, Benninger KL, Peralta-Carcelen M, Hines AC, Duncan AF, Wilson-Costello DE, Trembath A, Malcolm WF, Walsh MC; Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network.JAMA Pediatr. 2025 Feb 24:e246613. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2024.6613. Online ahead of print.PMID: 39992674As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. 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!

Send us a textNeonatal intermittent hypoxemia events are associated with later systemic hypertension.Martinez S, Chen Z, Di Fiore JM, Nguyen C, Minich NM, Hibbs AM.Pediatr Res. 2025 Jan 31. doi: 10.1038/s41390-025-03881-w. Online ahead of print.PMID: 39885241As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. 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!

Send us a textShort Duration of Antenatal Corticosteroid Exposure and Outcomes in Extremely Preterm Infants.Chawla S, Wyckoff MH, Lakshminrusimha S, Rysavy MA, Patel RM, Chowdhury D, Das A, Greenberg RG, Natarajan G, Shankaran S, Bell EF, Ambalavanan N, Younge NE, Laptook AR, Pavlek LR, Backes CH, Van Meurs KP, Werner EF, Carlo WA; National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Neonatal Research Network (NRN).JAMA Netw Open. 2025 Feb 3;8(2):e2461312. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.61312.PMID: 39982720 Free PMC article.As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. 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!

Send us a textEvaluating decision regret after extremely preterm birth.Belden L, Kaempf J, Mackley A, Kernan-Schloss F, Chen C, Sturtz W, Tomlinson MW, Guillen U.Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2025 Feb 21;110(2):191-199. doi: 10.1136/archdischild-2024-327287.PMID: 39164062As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. 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!

Send us a textResponse to Inhaled Nitric Oxide and Mortality Among Very Preterm Neonates With Pulmonary Hypertension.Baczynski M, Weisz D, Thomas L, Fevrier S, Castaldo M, Soraisham A, Hyderi A, Agarushi R, Bhattacharya S, Lalitha R, Sidhu A, Abdul Wahab MG, Altit G, Hébert A, Louis D, Elsayed Y, Mitra S, Deshpande P, Kharrat A, Zhu F, Ting J, Yoon E, Shah PS, Jain A; Canadian Neonatal Network Investigators.JAMA Netw Open. 2025 Feb 3;8(2):e2458843. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.58843.PMID: 39928335 Free PMC article.As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. 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!

Send us a textDelirium in the NICU is an under-recognized and under-assessed challenge. In this episode of The Incubator Podcast, Ben and Daphna sit down with Dr. Karishma Rao and clinical pharmacist Alex Oschman from Children's Mercy Hospital to explore the complexities of neonatal delirium. Drawing on their collaborative work and recent publication in Frontiers in Pharmacology, they unpack the nuances of distinguishing delirium from pain, agitation, withdrawal, and sedation—particularly in medically complex, long-stay infants.The conversation highlights the limitations of current assessment tools, such as the CAPD (Cornell Assessment of Pediatric Delirium), and the barriers to implementation in the NICU setting. The team shares practical strategies, including modifying pain and withdrawal protocols, minimizing deliriogenic medications like benzodiazepines and opioids, and emphasizing non-pharmacological interventions like early mobility, sleep hygiene, and environmental optimization.They also discuss pharmacologic options when needed, such as the selective use of atypical antipsychotics like quetiapine or risperidone, and raise critical questions about how developmental care might reduce the need for sedation altogether. This episode is a call to action for NICU teams to better understand, assess, and address delirium in our most vulnerable patients through collaborative, multidisciplinary care.  As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. 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!

Send us a textIn this packed episode of Neo News, Eli, Ben, and Daphna dive into the headlines impacting neonatology and public health. The trio starts with the controversial confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as head of HHS, analyzing his actions around the CDC, NIH, vaccine policy, and the implications of promoting “informed consent” messaging in place of public health advocacy. Drawing from reporting by The New York Times, STAT News, and Science Magazine, the team unpacks how these shifts could affect vaccine uptake in the NICU.Next, they examine the threat to birthright citizenship in the U.S., based on analysis from The New York Times, and how immigration policy may directly impact NICU families' access to care and trust in healthcare systems.They also discuss a Wall Street Journal article detailing the erosion of trust in physicians post-pandemic and the fallout from a recent JAMA Pediatrics study on therapeutic hypothermia in late preterms, which raised questions about research transparency.Other highlights include studies from Scientific Reports, JAMA Network Open, and The New York Times on air pollution, paternity leave, language-concordant care, and breastfeeding. The show ends with a call to action from Dr. Shadel Shah's op-ed advocating for the continuation of the PREEMIE Act. As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. 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!

Send us a textIn this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr Ilana Levene, who is now a Neonatology subspeciality trainee at Oxford, England. Ilana has done some fantastic work on exploring the important topic of human milk expression. She described her randomized control trial in using relaxing techniques to facilitate human milk expression in the NICU. She shared the challenges that she had in conducting her RCT. We also talked about RCTs with negative results and how negative results are also important in conducting research. Ilana has now created a website with printables for parents and staff in the NICU on human milk expression. This can be assessed for free here : http://www.hifn.org/printable . Ilana also shared her interest in perinatal equity and shared details on her project Spectrum which involves gathering photos of the lactating breast conditions/chest from people with a wide spectrum of skincolours. These will be provided as a free educational image library. Currently she is chairing a priority setting partnership for LGBTQIA+ perinatal care. As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. 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!