Does anyone have any experience with using Dexmedetomidine for sedation in the ventilated premature infant? This drug is being used more frequently in the adult population. Dexmedetomidine is a short acting alpha 2-agonist with anxiolytic, anesthetic, hypnotic and analgesic properties. The advantage to the medication is that it does not affect the respiratory drive and therefore does not interfere with weaning from mechanical ventilation. Because of this characteristic, infusions of dexmedetomidine can be continued after extubation without the risk of respiratory failure, a complication that can occur with propofol, lorazepam and midazolam.

Personally never used it so far. But sounds interesting.

Pharmacokinetics of intravenous dexmedetomidine in children under 11 yr of age.

Br J Anaesth. 2008 May;100(5):697-700. Epub 2008 Mar 31.

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Successful use of dexmedetomidine for sedation in a 24-week gestational age neonate.

Ann Pharmacother. 2009 Oct;43(10):1707-13. Epub 2009 Sep 15.

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Clinical uses of dexmedetomidine in pediatric patients.

Paediatr Drugs. 2008;10(1):49-69.

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On a related note:

Here is an informative article:

Sedation of hypercyanotic spells in a neonate with tetralogy of Fallot using dexmedetomidine

J Pediatr (Rio J). 2008;84(4):377-380

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Edited February 27, 201015 yr by JACK