title: The use of sedation and muscle relaxation in the ventilated infant.
abstract: The use of sedation, muscle relaxation, or analgesia in the management of ventilated neonates has been controversial. Many neonatologists face a difficult decision on whether or not to use a muscle relaxant on a ventilated infant. This article reviews neonatal physiology and pharmacology, drug administration, absorption, distribution, and certain selected sedatives and analgesics. The muscle relaxants, financial issues, and family issues are also discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Alexander
authors.forename: I D
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Todres
mesh_terms: D000698:Analgesia; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016527:Drug Costs; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000502:physiology*; D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009357:Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome / Q000628:therapy; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central; D001569:Benzodiazepines