We have located links that may give you full text access.
English Abstract
Journal Article
[OPIATES USE IN VERY-LOW-BIRTH-WEIGHT INFANTS--CALL FOR CAUTION].
Harefuah 2015 December
BACKGROUND: Very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants are occasionally treated with opiates for sedation and pain relief.
OBJECTIVE: To study the short term outcomes of VLBW infants treated with opiates.
METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of all VLBW infants born during the period 2006-2010; 45 were treated with opiates (41 fentanyl continuous IV drip and 4 IV morphine prn); 114 served as controls.
RESULTS: In the univariate analysis, VLBW infants treated by opiates had significantly lower Gestational Age (GA) (28.3 ± 2.4 vs. 30.3 ± 2.1 weeks) and BW (1012 ± 299 vs. 1204 ± 219 grams] and required longer periods of ventilatory support (30.3 ± 21.0 vs. 7.7 ± 12.0 days) and oxygen supplementation (40.4 ± 40.3 vs. 7.7 ± 17.3 days). They had significantly more intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), late onset infections, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Time to reach full enteral (32.5 ± 22.1 vs. 15.6 ± 6.1 days) and full oral (64.6 ± 25.0 vs. 42.0 ± 20.7 days) feedings and length of stay (89.6 ± 37.1 vs. 53.7 ± 20.8 days) were significantly longer. In multivariate analysis, after controlling for GA and BW, opiates remained significantly associated only with PDA and longer ventilatory support and time to full enteral feeding.
CONCLUSION: The use of opiates in VLBW infants may be associated with short term morbidities. Thus, opiates should be used with caution in this age group, and alternative approaches for sedation or pain relief should be considered. Randomized controlled studies are warranted to support our findings.
OBJECTIVE: To study the short term outcomes of VLBW infants treated with opiates.
METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of all VLBW infants born during the period 2006-2010; 45 were treated with opiates (41 fentanyl continuous IV drip and 4 IV morphine prn); 114 served as controls.
RESULTS: In the univariate analysis, VLBW infants treated by opiates had significantly lower Gestational Age (GA) (28.3 ± 2.4 vs. 30.3 ± 2.1 weeks) and BW (1012 ± 299 vs. 1204 ± 219 grams] and required longer periods of ventilatory support (30.3 ± 21.0 vs. 7.7 ± 12.0 days) and oxygen supplementation (40.4 ± 40.3 vs. 7.7 ± 17.3 days). They had significantly more intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), late onset infections, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Time to reach full enteral (32.5 ± 22.1 vs. 15.6 ± 6.1 days) and full oral (64.6 ± 25.0 vs. 42.0 ± 20.7 days) feedings and length of stay (89.6 ± 37.1 vs. 53.7 ± 20.8 days) were significantly longer. In multivariate analysis, after controlling for GA and BW, opiates remained significantly associated only with PDA and longer ventilatory support and time to full enteral feeding.
CONCLUSION: The use of opiates in VLBW infants may be associated with short term morbidities. Thus, opiates should be used with caution in this age group, and alternative approaches for sedation or pain relief should be considered. Randomized controlled studies are warranted to support our findings.
Full text links
Related Resources
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app
All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.
By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
Your Privacy Choices
You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app