Use of Dexmedetomidine and Opioids in Hospitalized Preterm Infants.

ABSTRACT:

Importance

Dexmedetomidine, an α2-adrenergic agonist, is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in premature infants. However, the off-label use of dexmedetomidine in premature infants has increased 50-fold in the past decade. Currently, there are no large studies characterizing dexmedetomidine use in US neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) or comparing the use of dexmedetomidine vs opioids in infants.

Objectives

To describe dexmedetomidine use patterns in the NICU and examine the association between dexmedetomidine and opioid use in premature infants.

Design, setting, and participants

A multicenter, observational cohort study was conducted from November 11, 2022, to April 4, 2023. Participants were inborn infants born between 22 weeks, 0 days, and

SUBMITTER: Curtis S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10625033 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature