Effect of Fentanyl Boluses on Cerebral Oxygenation and Hemodynamics in Preterm Infants: A Prospective Observational Study.

BACKGROUND Fentanyl is a commonly used off-label medication for pain control and sedation in preterm infants. Yet, the effect of fentanyl on cerebral hemodynamics in preterm neonates remains unexplored. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of a bolus dose of fentanyl on the regional cerebral oxygen saturation (RcSO2), cerebral fractional tissue oxygen extraction (cFTOE) and left ventricular output (LVO) as compared with pre-administration baseline in preterm infants. METHODS This was a prospective observational study conducted in a level III Canadian NICU from September 2017 to February 2019. Preterm infants born 0.05). CONCLUSION Administration of fentanyl bolus for procedural pain and sedation was not shown to significantly affect cerebral oxygenation, cerebral tissue oxygen extraction or cardiac output in stable preterm infants.