Trends in Gabapentin Use in Neonatal Intensive Care Units from 2005 to 2020.

Area of Science:

• Neonatal pharmacology
• Pediatric intensive care
• Drug utilization studies

Background:

• Gabapentin is increasingly used in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).
• The safety and efficacy of gabapentin in infants are not well-established.
• Understanding trends and patient characteristics associated with gabapentin use is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze trends in gabapentin utilization within NICUs.
• To examine demographic factors, diagnoses, and co-administered medications in infants receiving gabapentin.
• To highlight the need for further research on gabapentin in neonates.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective cohort study analyzed 987,181 infants admitted to NICUs between 2005 and 2020.
• Data on gabapentin exposure, infant demographics, diagnoses, and concomitant medications were collected.
• Statistical analysis identified trends and associated factors.

Main Results:

• Gabapentin use was rare (<0.01%), with 85 exposed infants.
• A significant relative increase of 1,055% in gabapentin use was observed from 2009 to 2020 (p < 0.01).
• Exposed infants had lower birth weights and higher rates of prematurity, chronic lung disease, gastrostomy tubes, and drug withdrawal syndrome, often receiving concurrent opioids and benzodiazepines.

Conclusions:

• Gabapentin use in NICUs, though infrequent, has markedly increased.
• This trend persists despite a lack of robust safety and efficacy data in the neonatal population.
• Further clinical studies are imperative to evaluate gabapentin's role in neonatal care.