Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40619398›Full record

ArticleItalian journal of pediatrics2025

Accidental dexmedetomidine overdose in preterm newborns: a report of 3 cases.

Giulia Paviotti, Mariabeatrice D'Agostini, Isabella Mauro, Federica Bortolotti, Rossella Gottardo, Carla Pittini

Abstract readCase Reports
In one paragraph

Article in Italian journal of pediatrics, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

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.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Ketamine enhancement of dexmedetomidine attenuation of methamphetamine-induced agitation in rats.Journal of pharmacy & pharmaceutical sciences : a publication of the Canadian Society for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Societe canadienne des sciences pharmaceutiques · 2026
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Giulia PaviottiDivision of Neonatology, University Hospital of Udine, Via Pozzuolo 330, Udine, Italy. paviottigiulia@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5748-4654
Mariabeatrice D'AgostiniDepartment of Medicine-DMed, University of Udine, Udine, Italy.
Isabella MauroDivision of Neonatology, University Hospital of Udine, Via Pozzuolo 330, Udine, Italy.
Federica BortolottiDepartment of Diagnostic and Public Health, Unit of Forensic Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
Rossella GottardoDepartment of Diagnostic and Public Health, Unit of Forensic Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
Carla PittiniDivision of Neonatology, University Hospital of Udine, Via Pozzuolo 330, Udine, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDexmedetomidine use in neonatal units is increasing. Data on its safety are still limited. There are no previous reports of clinical presentation of dexmedetomidine overdose in newborns. CASE PRESENTATION: Three babies simultaneously developed a similar clinical picture of recurrent apneas, a typical "gasping" breathing pattern, irritability followed by hypotonia and hyporeactivity, hyperglycaemia, hypocapnia, increase in lactates and a suppression-burst pattern on CFM/EEG. Babies required intubation and mechanical ventilation due to poor respiratory effort. Symptoms resolved completely in a few hours. Dexmedetomidine was administered enterally by a nasogastric tube in place of caffeine due to "look alike" medication error. Dexmedetomidine was retrieved in biological samples. Babies were developing regularly at post-discharge follow up visits.

conclusionDexmedetomidine overdose due to medication error is possible in newborns and should be suspected in case of clinical presentations similar to the one we reported. Measures should be implemented in neonatal units for a safe use of dexmedetomidine.

Indexed as

DexmedetomidineDrug OverdoseHypnotics and SedativesMedication ErrorsFemaleHumansInfant, NewbornInfant, PrematureMaleDexmedetomidineHypnotics and SedativesCase reportDexmedetomidineMedication errorNewbornOverdose

Identifiers

PMID40619398
PMCPMC12232678

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.