The Incubator #341 - đź“‘ Journal Club - The Complete Episode from August 17th 2025
This week on Journal Club, we review five important studies with direct implications for your work in the NICU. First, we examine the newly released third-generation Fenton growth charts—how do they differ from previous versions, and what do they reveal about how we may have underestimated early growth trajectories in preterm infants? Next, we evaluate the association between retinopathy of prematurity and structural brain abnormalities on term-equivalent MRI—can ROP severity serve as a marker for broader neurologic vulnerability? We also look at a randomized trial assessing the safety and effectiveness of using 100% oxygen during deferred cord clamping in extremely preterm infants. Does this strategy safely reduce early hypoxemia without increasing the risk of hyperoxia? Then, we explore early neurodevelopmental outcomes following autologous cord blood stem cell infusions in preterm infants—what signals are emerging, and how close are we to bedside applications? Finally, we unpack two diaphragm-focused investigations: one challenging the long-held practice of using rib counts on chest radiographs to estimate lung volumes, and another showing how even short-term sedation can induce measurable diaphragmatic dysfunction. These studies raise important questions—how should we adapt our practice in light of this data?
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!