Evaluating Gabapentin Dosing, Efficacy and Safety in Infants

Area of Science:

• Neonatal and Pediatric Pharmacology
• Pain Management
• Neurology

Background:

• Gabapentin use in infants for conditions like neuropathic pain and irritability has increased.
• Limited guidance exists for pediatric gabapentin dosing and outcomes.
• This study addresses the need for evidence-based practices in infant gabapentin management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe gabapentin dosing trends in infants.
• To identify efficacy outcomes, including pain and feeding.
• To characterize gabapentin weaning practices in a pediatric population.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective single-center study of infants (<1 year) receiving gabapentin (2015-2021).
• Primary outcome: indication, initiation, and maximum gabapentin dose.
• Secondary outcomes: mortality, adverse events, weight-for-age Z-scores, and FLACC scores.

Main Results:

• Sixty-six infants received gabapentin; common indications included irritability and visceral hyperalgesia.
• Mean initiation dose: 8.6 mg/kg/day; maximum mean dose: 23.2 mg/kg/day.
• Significant improvement in weight-for-age Z-scores and reduction in FLACC scores observed; three minor adverse events reported.

Conclusions:

• Gabapentin is well-tolerated in infants.
• Initial dosing of 5 mg/kg/dose every 24 hours is safe and aligns with existing literature.
• Gabapentin shows a beneficial role in improving infant outcomes with minimal adverse events.