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.

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