Administration of Sodium Bicarbonate in Critically Ill Newborns: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

ABSTRACT: Background: Metabolic acidosis is a frequent and serious complication in critically ill neonates, particularly preterm infants, and is associated with an increased risk of mortality, intraventricular hemorrhage, and long-term neurodevelopmental impairment. Despite limited evidence, sodium bicarbonate (SB) is widely administered in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) to correct acidosis, largely extrapolated from adult and pediatric practice. However, concerns have been raised about its potential adverse effects, including paradoxical intracellular acidosis, impaired cerebral autoregulation, and increased risk of neurological injury. Given the uncertainty regarding both its efficacy and safety, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the role of SB administra

SUBMITTER: Boscarino G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12842761 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature