Ventilatory arrest after a fluid challenge in a neonate receiving s.c. morphine.
S.c. infusions of morphine have been advocated for postoperative analgesia in children, but experience with this technique is limited. We report a case in which an s.c. infusion of morphine given after operation to a neonate failed to provide acceptable analgesia until the child had been adequately rehydrated. However, restoration of peripheral perfusion with a fluid challenge was followed by sudden ventilatory arrest which required resuscitation and naloxone infusion. This report emphasizes the dangers of giving morphine by a peripheral route in the dehydrated or hypovolaemic infant.
Wolf
A R
AR
Department of Anaesthesia, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Glasgow.
Lawson
R A
RA
Fisher
S
S
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005440:Fluid Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000139:chemically induced*
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D009020:Morphine