#179 - 📑 Journal Club - The latest research in neonatology (The complete sunday episode)

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In the latest episode of the Incubator Podcast's Journal Club, the hosts, Ben and Daphna, delve into a detailed discussion of recent neonatology research.

• The Oscar Trial: Examined the efficacy of early ibuprofen treatment for large patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in extremely preterm infants to improve outcomes like survival and severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). The study, a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial across 32 UK units, found no significant benefit of early ibuprofen treatment.
• Breastfeeding as a Protective Factor Against BPD: A retrospective study from the British Journal of Nutrition by José Uberos, focusing on the intake of mother's own milk, donor human milk, or preterm formula within the first two weeks of life in very low birth weight infants. It highlighted the benefits of mother's milk in reducing the odds of BPD and noted the importance of enteral nutrition in the development of BPD.
• Clinical Chorioamnionitis and Neurodevelopment: Drawn from the Epipage to cohort, the study found no significant association between clinical chorioamnionitis and neurodevelopmental disorders at five years of age for infants born between 24 and 34 weeks of gestation.
• Polyethylene Bags Before Cord Clamping: This randomized control trial published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood investigated whether placing very preterm infants in a polyethylene bag before cord clamping could ensure normothermia upon NICU admission. The trial concluded that there was no significant difference in the normothermia rates between those bagged before and after cord clamping.
• Marijuana Use and Breastfeeding: Survey results from a Pediatrics journal article showing variability in hospital practices regarding breastfeeding for mothers who use marijuana. It calls for more standardized, evidence-based practices to ensure healthcare equity.
• Platelet Transfusion and Neurodevelopmental Impairment: A JAMA Network Open study using data from the PEANUT trial, examining the association between platelet transfusion exposure and death or severe neurodevelopmental impairment at two years of age in extremely preterm children.
• Azithromycin During Routine Well Infant Visits: A study from Burkina Faso published in the New England Journal of Medicine tested the effectiveness of Azithromycin given during routine health care visits in preventing infant mortality. The results did not support the prophylactic use of Azithromycin for this purpose.
• Challenges in Managing Refractory Pain and Sedation in Infants: A review article from Frontiers in Pharmacology compiling guidelines and providing insights into the management of pain, sedation, and withdrawal in infants, including the issue of delirium in the NICU setting.
• EBNEO Commentary with Dr. Eugene How and Dr. Cami Martin on the study by Ariel Salas et al published in Pediatrics: Early human milk fortification in infants born extremely preterm: A randomised 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!