Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 13, 2025

Electrophysiological Measurements and Analysis of Nociception in Human Infants
09:18

Electrophysiological Measurements and Analysis of Nociception in Human Infants

Published on: December 20, 2011

17.2K

Depression of cortical neuronal activity after a low-dose fentanyl in preterm infants

Sofie Nilsson1, Anton Tokariev2, Timo Vehviläinen2

  • 1Pediatrics, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Skane University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|September 11, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Fentanyl may impact preterm infants

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Neuroscience
  • Developmental Pharmacology
  • Clinical Neurophysiology

Background:

  • Opioid administration, particularly fentanyl, poses potential risks to the developing infant brain.
  • Accurate dosing and understanding drug effects are critical for vulnerable neonatal populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of fentanyl on cortical activity in preterm infants.
  • To utilize computational re-analysis of amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) signals for objective assessment.

Main Methods:

  • Studied fifteen preterm infants (median gestational age 26.4 weeks) receiving fentanyl (0.5 or 2 μg/kg).
  • Recorded cortical activity using aEEG pre- and post-drug administration.
  • Analyzed three computational EEG features for synchrony and signal power.

Main Results:

  • No systematic changes in EEG metrics were observed upon visual inspection.
  • Magnitude of changes in right hemisphere signals correlated with pre-administration EEG amplitude and power.
  • This effect was evident 3-4 minutes post-fentanyl administration.

Conclusions:

  • Fentanyl can affect cortical activity in preterm infants, even at low doses.
  • The impact of fentanyl is dependent on the infant's baseline cortical activity state.
  • Baseline EEG state is crucial for interpreting sedative drug effects in neonates.
Abstract

Keywords:
EEG analysisbrain monitoringfentanylnewbornsedative drug

More Related Videos

Computer-based Multitaper Spectrogram Program for Electroencephalographic Data04:13

Computer-based Multitaper Spectrogram Program for Electroencephalographic Data

Published on: November 13, 2019

12.1K
Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale19:15

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Published on: August 25, 2014

85.8K

Related Concept Videos

Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview01:24

Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview

Intravenous anesthetics are drugs administered parenterally to induce anesthesia or sedation. Propofol is a widely used agent formulated as a 1% emulsion in soybean oil, glycerol, and egg phosphatide. It induces rapid anesthesia primarily due to its rapid distribution from the bloodstream to target tissues and is metabolized in the liver. However, it can cause significant pain on injection and hypertriglyceridemia. Fospropofol, a water-based prodrug of propofol, lacks these adverse effects.
111
Long-term Depression01:05

Long-term Depression

Long-term depression, or LTD, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTD is the process of synaptic weakening that occurs over time between pre and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic weakening of LTD works in opposition to synaptic strengthening by long-term potentiation (LTP) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
30.7K
CNS Depressants: Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines01:14

CNS Depressants: Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines

CNS depressants include drugs from the category of barbiturates and benzodiazepines. They are valuable medications for managing anxiety disorders and insomnia. Barbiturates, once used to induce and maintain sleep, have been replaced mainly by benzodiazepines due to barbiturate's toxicity, tolerance, and overdose risks. They interact with GABAA receptors, leading to sedation at low doses and potentially coma and death at higher doses. Phenobarbital, a long-acting barbiturate, possesses...
231
Stages of General Anesthesia01:22

Stages of General Anesthesia

Various sedation levels offer significant advantages in facilitating procedural interventions for patients undergoing medical or invasive surgical procedures. These levels span from anxiolysis to general anesthesia, providing a spectrum of sedative effects to cater to specific patient needs. Anxiolysis reduces anxiety and is achieved through minimal sedation, enabling patients to remain awake and responsive while feeling more at ease during the procedure. This level can benefit minor...
389
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia01:29

Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia

Epidural anesthetics are administered in the fat-filled epidural space, the outermost part of the spinal canal. This technique is commonly employed for pain management and anesthesia during lower abdomen and pelvis surgeries or labor and delivery.
Since epidural anesthetics can be infused through an epidural catheter, all types of drugs, including short-acting ones, can be administered. Chloroprocaine and lidocaine are examples of short and long-duration anesthetics, respectively. Bupivacaine...
422