Pre-Medications for Non-Emergency Tracheal Intubation in the United States Neonatal Intensive Care Units

Mahmoud A Ali; Muppala Prasanth Raju; Greg Miller; Niraj Vora; Madhava Beeram; Venkata Raju; Ashith Shetty; Vinayak Govande; Nguyen Nguyen; Arpitha Chiruvolu

doi:10.7759/cureus.53512

Pre-Medications for Non-Emergency Tracheal Intubation in the United States Neonatal Intensive Care Units

Cureus. 2024 Feb 3;16(2):e53512. doi: 10.7759/cureus.53512. eCollection 2024 Feb.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Pediatrics/Neonatology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, USA.
² Neonatology, Baylor Scott & White Health, Temple, USA.
³ Pediatrics, Baylor Scott & White Health, Temple, USA.
⁴ Neonatology, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, USA.
⁵ Neonatology, Pediatrix Medical Group, Dallas, USA.

Abstract

Background: Premedication in neonates undergoing elective intubation effectively minimizes the negative physiological events of bradycardia, systemic hypertension, intracranial hypertension, and hypoxia. Premedication decreases procedure-related pain and discomfort. This study aimed to evaluate the current practice of pre-intubation medications for non-emergent intubations in preterm and term neonates in the United States.

Study design: A cross-sectional survey (Appendix) was sent via e-mail to all level 3 and 4 Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) of the Organization of Neonatal Perinatal Medicine Training Program Directors (ONTPD), NICU directors with pediatric residency only, and Baylor Scott and White Health, Mednax, and Envision health services systems.

Results: Of 170 responses, 41% (69/168) routinely premedicate, 38% (64/168) premedicate under specific circumstances, and 21% (35/168) do not administer any routine pre-intubation medications. Only 46% (77/168) of units had a written policy. The most frequently used drugs were fentanyl (68%, 116/170), atropine (39%, 66/170), midazolam (38%, 64/170), and morphine (26%, 45/170). 21% (36/170) used a two-drug combination, and 38% (64/170) used a three-drug combination. The most commonly used two-drug combination was atropine and fentanyl, and the most common three-drug combination was atropine, fentanyl, and a paralytic agent.

Conclusion: Despite the well-documented benefits of premedication for NICU intubations, as aligned with AAP recommendations, the US lags behind other nations, with stagnant rates since 2006. This disparity persists despite a rise in written policies, which exhibit significant content variations. The authors advocate for the adoption of standardized, AAP-aligned policies across all NICUs in the US. Continued research is vital to monitor the progress of this crucial practice and address any underlying barriers to implementation.

Keywords: - elective; fentanyl; inherited neonate albinism; mechanical ventilation; neonatal intensive care unit (nicu); policy; pre-intubation; pre-medication; procedure; tracheal.