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Related Experiment Videos

Opioids for neonates receiving mechanical ventilation.

R Bellù1, K A de Waal, R Zanini

  • 1Ospedale "Manzoni" -Lecco, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Via Eremo 9, Lecco, Italy, 23900. r.bellu@ospedale.lecco.it

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|February 7, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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See all related articles

Opioid analgesics may reduce pain in neonates on mechanical ventilation, but evidence is insufficient for routine use. Morphine is safer than midazolam for sedation, but selective use is advised based on pain indicators.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Intensive Care
  • Pharmacology
  • Pain Management

Background:

  • Mechanical ventilation is a common, yet painful, procedure for neonates.
  • Neonatal pain sensitivity can negatively impact clinical and neurodevelopmental outcomes.
  • Pain management in neonates is crucial for improving survival and long-term health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of opioid analgesics versus placebo, other analgesics, or sedatives.
  • To assess the impact of opioids on pain, ventilation duration, mortality, growth, and neurodevelopment in neonates.
  • To provide evidence-based recommendations for opioid use in mechanically ventilated newborns.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized and quasi-randomized controlled trials.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Searches conducted across major databases (Cochrane, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL).
  • Data extraction and analysis using relative risk, risk difference, and weighted/standardized mean difference.

    • Main Results:

    • Opioids reduced pain scores (Premature Infant Pain Profile) in neonates.
    • No significant differences were found in mortality or duration of mechanical ventilation.
    • Very preterm infants receiving morphine experienced delayed enteral feeding; morphine was safer than midazolam for sedation.

    Conclusions:

    • Insufficient evidence supports routine opioid use in mechanically ventilated neonates.
    • Opioids should be used selectively based on clinical judgment and pain assessment.
    • Morphine is a safer sedative option compared to midazolam in this population.