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Opioid exposure in neonates and infants following cardiac surgery: a comparative analysis

Melissa B Jones1, Christine Riley1, Gil Wernovsky2

  • 1Division of Cardiac Critical Care Medicine, Children's National Hospital, USA.

Cardiology in the Young
|June 24, 2026
PubMed

Insights

This study examined opioid exposure in neonates following cardiac surgery. Findings highlight the need for better pain management strategies in critically ill infants to support neurodevelopment.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric critical care medicine
  • Neonatal surgery
  • Pain management in infants

Background:

  • Untreated pain and opioid exposure can negatively affect infant neurodevelopment.
  • Critically ill infants undergoing cardiac surgery are particularly vulnerable.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe and compare opioid exposure in neonates (≤30 days) after cardiac surgery.
  • To identify potential areas for improved pain management in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective cohort analysis of cardiac ICU surgical patients.
  • Data collected over a 30-day period post-surgery.
  • Single-centre study design.

Main Results:

  • Opioid exposure patterns were described in neonates post-cardiac surgery.
  • The study provides a baseline for understanding opioid use in this cohort.

Conclusions:

  • Careful pain assessment is crucial for critically ill infants.
  • Additional strategies are needed to address pain and minimize opioid exposure.
  • Optimizing pain management supports neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Abstract

Keywords:
CHDcardiac surgeryinfantneonateopioid

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