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The PDA debate has a new data point. TREOCAPA, a phase 3 multicenter European RCT, tested prophylactic acetaminophen in infants born at 23 to 28 weeks. The ductus closed more reliably. Whether that translated into better survival without severe morbidity at 36 weeks is where the conversation gets interesting.
Also this week: a large multicenter cohort study puts real numbers on diazoxide use across US NICUs and the pulmonary hypertension risk that has driven so much practice variation. The NeoDry trial tests whether drying very preterm infants before plastic wrapping improves normothermia at admission, with results that are a good reminder of why we run trials. And a retrospective from NYU raises the question of whether standard caffeine dosing in the most premature infants is leaving something on the table.
The episode closes with Ben and Eli on Florida’s infant formula heavy metal report and why publishing findings without methods may be as much a public health problem as the data itself.
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!

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In this Neo News episode, Ben and Eli dive into the recent controversial announcement from the state of Florida regarding heavy metals and pesticides found in infant formulas. They discuss the implications of releasing testing data without transparent methodology or clinical context, especially for unregulated or recalled brands like ByHeart and Similac Soy Isomil. How should NICU clinicians counsel parents who want to bring their own formulas from home? Tune in as they unpack the regulatory loopholes, the evolving public health initiatives, and the ongoing challenge of navigating unverified reports in neonatal care!
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https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article314266407.html
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!

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In this episode of Journal Club, Ben and Daphna review a retrospective cohort study exploring the effects of higher caffeine maintenance dosing on BPD and neurodevelopmental outcomes. They discuss the transition from the standard CAP trial doses to higher regimens for infants born at or before 28 weeks gestation. Does an average daily dose of over six milligrams per kilogram reduce severe BPD or improve Bayley cognitive scores at six months? Tune in as they debate the safety, clinical implications, and their own unit's practices regarding caffeine management in the NICU!
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Effects of higher caffeine dosing on rates of bronchopulmonary dysplasia and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Fleishaker S, Kazmi SH, Mavrogiannis N, Street H, Ravuri H, Moinuddin T, Pierce K, Verma S.J Perinatol. 2026 Feb 23. doi: 10.1038/s41372-026-02593-1. Online ahead of print.PMID: 41731043
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!

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In this Journal Club episode, Ben and Daphna review the eye-opening results of the NeoDry Trial recently published in JAMA Network Open. They explore the clinical rationale of whether drying very preterm infants before applying a plastic wrap in the delivery room improves rates of normothermia upon NICU admission. While the intervention did not significantly improve temperatures, it unexpectedly revealed an alarming increased mortality risk for the smallest neonates. Tune in as they break down the study's design, discuss the potential causes for this stark safety signal, and highlight the ongoing challenge of maintaining thermoregulation for our most vulnerable preemies!
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Drying Very Preterm Infants Before Plastic Wrapping at Birth: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Cavallin F, Doglioni N, Risso FM, Monari CB, Aversa S, Troiani S, Battajon N, Moschella S, Villani PE, Vedovato S, Maiorca D, Frezza S, Lista G, Laforgia N, Mondello I, Sibona I, Staffler A, Pratesi S, Paviotti G, De Bernardo G, Lama S, Miselli F, Bua J, Gitto E, Pesce S, Baraldi E, Trevisanuto D; NEODRY Trial Group.JAMA Netw Open. 2026 Mar 2;9(3):e2556902. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.56902.
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!

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In this Journal Club episode, Ben and Daphna review a large cohort study from the Journal of Perinatology on the prevalence and safety of diazoxide in the NICU. With neonatal hypoglycemia seemingly on the rise, they discuss off-label use for transient hyperinsulinism and evaluate real-world data from over 340 Pediatrix units. They dive into the rates of concurrent diuretic therapy, respiratory support, and the dreaded risk of pulmonary hypertension. Tune in for a clinical breakdown of when and how this medication is being utilized across centers, plus Ben's echocardiography struggles with cranky term babies on diazoxide!
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Prevalence and safety of diazoxide in the neonatal intensive care unit. Collins LC, Daniel KB, Tolia VN, Parikh P, Gray KD, Greenberg RG.J Perinatol. 2026 Feb 3. doi: 10.1038/s41372-026-02568-2. Online ahead of print.PMID: 41634357
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!