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Continuous Video Electroencephalogram during Hypoxia-Ischemia in Neonatal Mice
09:29

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Published on: June 11, 2020

Seizure and electroencephalographic changes in the newborn period induced by opiates and corrected by naloxone

O da Silva1, D Alexandrou, D Knoppert

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Western Ontario, Lawson Research Institute, London, Canada.

Journal of Perinatology : Official Journal of the California Perinatal Association
|January 22, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Opioid use in newborns may cause neurologic issues like seizures and abnormal brain activity. Naloxone, an antidote, reversed these effects in two infants, suggesting careful monitoring during opioid therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Neurology
  • Clinical Pharmacology
  • Pediatric Critical Care

Background:

  • Opioid analgesics are frequently used for pain and sedation in neonates.
  • Neurologic complications associated with neonatal opioid exposure are not well-defined.

Observation:

  • Two case reports detail infants experiencing seizures and electroencephalogram (EEG) abnormalities during opioid administration.
  • A preterm infant on morphine infusion developed burst-suppression EEG patterns, reversed by naloxone.
  • A term infant on fentanyl infusion experienced motor seizures, with EEG improvement after naloxone.

Findings:

  • Neonatal opioid administration is associated with significant neurologic abnormalities, including seizure induction.
  • Electroencephalogram abnormalities, such as burst-suppression patterns, can occur with opioid infusions.
  • Naloxone administration demonstrated a reversal of opioid-induced neurologic and EEG changes.

Implications:

  • Clinicians should exercise caution when administering opioids for sedation and pain control in newborns.
  • Continuous EEG monitoring may be beneficial for neonates receiving opioid therapy.
  • Further research is warranted to understand the full spectrum of opioid-related neurotoxicity in neonates.
Abstract

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