The Incubator #392 - [Neo News] - 📌 Beyond the $32 Million Verdict, Do We Need Written Consent for Formula?
In this episode of Neo News, Ben, Daphna, and Eli tackle the complex and emotionally charged landscape of legal liability in the NICU. Following a recent $32 million settlement involving necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and cow's milk-based formula, the team debates the future of informed consent for routine nutritional care. They explore how legal precedents may force neonatologists to replace bedside counseling with transactional forms, potentially eroding trust and complicating evidence-based practice. Join us as we discuss how to balance transparency, parental autonomy, and the reality of risk in the pursuit of better outcomes for our tiniest patients.
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WTNH News 8. (2025, December 15). Parents, attorneys emphasizing importance of informed consent to NICUs following baby’s death at Yale New Haven Hospital. WTNH. https://www.wtnh.com/news/connecticut/new-haven/parents-attorneys-emphasizing-importance-of-informed-consent-to-nicus-following-babys-death-at-yale-new-haven-hospital/
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!