Fentanyl-induced chest wall rigidity in a neonate: a case report

Fentanyl-induced chest wall rigidity occurred in an 8-week-old infant girl recovering from surgical repair of coarctation of the aorta. The neonate received 30 minutes of a moderate dose continuous infusion of fentanyl before chest wall rigidity developed. Association of the chest wall rigidity with the fentanyl infusion resulted in the appropriate intervention of narcotic reversal and prevented irreversible hypoxic sequelae. Patients receiving fentanyl, even at moderate doses, are at risk for the development of chest wall rigidity.