Intravenous paracetamol for postoperative analgesia in a 4-day-old term neonate

There are only a few clinical reports on the use of intravenous (i.v.) paracetamol in term neonates. This case report illustrates that when routes for administration of analgesics are restricted to i.v. only and when opioids are not indicated then i.v. paracetamol may be used. In our 4-day-old term infant, despite i.v. paracetamol for 48 h, the trough level during therapy was almost undetectable indicating rapid clearance. Although i.v. paracetamol is not licensed in this age group, it can prove very helpful when the only route of administration is intravenous.