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Am J Perinatol 1998; 15(4): 213-216
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-993928
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

© 1998 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.

Premedication for Neonatal Intubation

Keith J. Barrington1 , Paul J. Byrne2
  • 1University of California, San Diego, Medical Center, San Diego, California
  • 2Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, University of Alberta Hospitals, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Publication History

Publication Date:
04 March 2008 (online)

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ABSTRACT

The incidence of complications was recorded for 269 consecutive neonatal endotracheal intubations after instituting a routine policy of premedication. Two hundred and fifty-three of the intubations were premedicated with a combination of atropine, fentanyl and succinylcholine, 194 were without incident, 28 required two attempts, 22 required more than two attempts, and 9 required a second attempt with a smaller endotracheal tube. All infants were successfully intubated. We conclude that a policy of routine neonatal premedication for intubation is safe, feasible, and humane.

Keywords

Intubation - newborn - complications