Observational studyBMJ paediatrics open2025
Dexmedetomidine in neonates: utilisation trends and safety profile over time in a neonatal intensive care unit.
Observational study in BMJ paediatrics open, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed.
- Epicutaneo-caval catheter occlusion in neonates without heparin infusion during parenteral nutrition: A descriptive cohort study.JPEN. Journal of parenteral and enteral nutrition · 2026Article
- Pharmacological therapy of neonatal analgosedation: current status, dilemmas, and perspectives.Frontiers in pediatrics · 2026Review
- Research status and advances in dexmedetomidine for sepsis‑induced multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (Review).International journal of molecular medicine · 2025Review
- The Perioperative Use of Dexmedetomidine in Paediatric Patients.Children (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundDexmedetomidine is an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist with sedative, anxiolytic and analgesic effects. Its use in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) has been increasing in the last decade. The aim of this study was to assess the safety profile of dexmedetomidine and to identify specific trends in its use over time.
methodsIn this retrospective observational study, data were collected on all patients who received continuous infusion of dexmedetomidine in a level IV NICU in Turkey between 2018 and 2023. Demographic characteristics were compared between preterm and term infants using the Mann-Whitney U test. Differences in adverse effects between term and preterm infants, as well as between lower and higher doses, were analysed using the χ
resultsA total of 383 patients were included. The participants had a median (IQR) gestational age of 37 (35-38) weeks with a median (IQR) birth weight of 2700 (2140-3270) grams and the median (IQR) postmenstrual age at the time of dexmedetomidine initiation was 38 (36-40) weeks. The most common indication for use was pain control following surgery and/or interventional procedures (81.5%). There was a statistically significant increase in initial doses (p<0.001) and treatment duration (p=0.009). Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were observed in 5% of cases, mostly bradycardia (50%) and ADRs did not correlate with the dose (0.80), treatment duration (0.96) or gestational age (p=0.93).
conclusionOur data and experiences demonstrated a significant increase in the dose and duration of dexmedetomidine use in the NICU over the years. Additionally, the findings have suggested that higher doses and treatment duration do not result in an increase in ADRs during the acute period.
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