Effects of fentanyl for pain control and neuroprotection in very preterm newborns on mechanical ventilation

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the cerebral protection effect of fentanyl infusion in very preterm infants in the first 72 h of mechanical ventilation. Methods: In this double-blind, randomized, controlled trial, mechanically ventilated newborns (<32 weeks' gestational age) were randomized to fentanyl (continuous infusion of fentanyl) or placebo (continuous infusion of glucose, controls) in the first 72 h of the mechanical ventilation period. The premature infant pain profile (PIPP), cerebral blood flow velocity, neuron-specific enolase (NSE) concentrations in plasma samples, and cerebral function monitoring (CFM) recordings were evaluated. Results: Twenty-seven infants were allocated to the fentanyl group and 26 to the control group. The fentanyl group had significantly lower PIPP scores than did the control group at 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after the start of infusion (all p < .05). No significant changes in hemodynamic parameters were observed during the observation period using transcranial Doppler flow measurements (p > .05). The fentanyl group had lower NSE levels and higher total CFM scores compared with the control group (both p < .05). Conclusion: In very preterm infants on mechanical ventilation, continuous fentanyl infusion might protect the developing brain by relieving pain during the first 72 h of mechanical ventilation.