Analgesics and Sedatives in Critically Ill Newborns and Infants: The Impact on Long‐Term Neurodevelopment. (24th September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schiller, R.M.; Allegaert, K.; Hunfeld, Maayke; van den Bosch, G.E.; van den Anker, John; Tibboel, D.
• Other Names: Reed Michael D. guestEditor.; van den Anker John guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: Journal of clinical pharmacology. Volume 58(2018)Supplement 10
• Page Start: S140
• Page End: S150
• Publication Date: 2018-09-24
• Subjects: infant -- neurodevelopmental disorders -- neuropsychology -- newborn -- sedatives and analgesia; Pharmacology -- Periodicals; Pharmacology -- Periodicals; Pharmacology, Clinical -- Periodicals; 615.1
• DOI: 10.1002/jcph.1139
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0091-2700

Abstract

Abstract: Inadequate pain and/or stress management in preterm‐ and term‐born infants has been associated with increased morbidity and even mortality. However, exposure to analgosedatives during early infancy may also be one of the risk factors for subsequent neurodevelopmental impairment, at least in animal studies. Because infants admitted to neonatal or pediatric intensive care units may receive high amounts of these drugs for prolonged periods of time and the majority of these infants nowadays survive to discharge, this is of major concern. A balanced approach that incorporates the assessment and quantification of both wanted effects as well as unwanted side effects is therefore needed. In this article, the optimal dose determination of commonly used analgosedative drugs as well as their potential long‐term effects on the developing human brain and neuropsychological functioning are reviewed.