title: Premedication for neonatal intubation in Australia and New Zealand: a survey of current practice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to describe the current approach to intubation premedication in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in Australia and New Zealand.
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature review regarding intubation premedication in the newborn was carried out to inform questionnaire design. A web-based survey of 28 NICUs and two neonatal emergency transport services was conducted and supplemented by telephone contact to ensure completion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All the tertiary NICUs and neonatal emergency transport services in Australia and New Zealand use premedication for elective intubation of neonates. Eighty per cent of units have a written policy. There were 28 of 30 units (93%) that use muscle relaxants, mostly suxamethonium. The choice of sedative medication is varied.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Australian and New Zealand neonatal units have a high use of intubation premedication including muscle relaxants, but vary considerably in their choice of sedative medication.
authors.affiliation: Department of Women's and Child Health, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. Ben.wheeler@otago.ac.nz
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wheeler
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Broadbent
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Reith
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal; D009520:New Zealand; D011292:Premedication / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives