Individual variations in fentanyl pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in preterm infants

• Aim Fentanyl pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics are lacking in preterm infants. Our aim was to study these and their relation with a new formulation of fentanyl 5 mu g/mL for procedural pain. Methods Preterm infants were given 0.5 (n = 20, median gestational age 26.5; range 23.3-34.1 weeks) and 2 mu g/kg (n = 8, 27.4; 25.3-30.7 weeks) fentanyl, respectively, before skin-breaking procedures or tracheal intubation. Blood samples were collected after ten minutes, two, four, eight and 24 hours. Physiologic parameters were monitored and pain scores assessed. Results The median fentanyl concentrations were 0.18, 0.15, 0.15 and 0.57, 0.37, 0.35 ng/mL at 15-31 minutes, two and four hours and the half-lives were 1.6 to 20.5 or 4.1 to 32.6 hours for the low- and high-dose groups, respectively. A significant correlation was seen between weight at study inclusion and half-life (Spearman ' s r = -0.9, p < 0.001), volume of distribution (r = -0.8, p < 0.01) and clearance (r = -0.9, p < 0.01) in the low-dose group (n = 9). Pain assessment results were not correlated to pharmacokinetic variables. Fentanyl was well tolerated. Conclusion The inter-individual variation of fentanyl pharmacokinetics is large in preterm infants, and the dose of 0.5 mu g/kg seems not effective for skin-breaking procedures.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Pediatrik (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Pediatrics (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Samhällsfarmaci och klinisk farmaci (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Social and Clinical Pharmacy (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Fentanyl

Pain

Pharmacokinetics

Preterm infants

continuous-infusion

initial validation

procedural pain

morphine

analgesia

newborns

intubation

management

outcomes

scale

Pediatrics

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)