Dexmedetomidine's effect on neonatal sedation, pain, respiratory status and cardiovascular system.

Objective: To describe the effects of dexmedetomidine on sedation, pain, respiratory status, and hemodynamics in neonates.

Methods: A retrospective study of 206 infants in a level IV NICU (2016-2021) receiving continuous dexmedetomidine infusion. Pain/sedation scores, BP, vasopressor and inotrope score (VIS), and concomitant sedatives/analgesics (CSA) were recorded before and every 3-4 h for 24 h.

Evaluation of Biventricular Diastolic Function in Preterm Infants in the First Week of Postnatal Life.

Diastolic dysfunction contributes significantly to respiratory instability in preterm infants but remains under-characterized during early postnatal transition. We aimed to evaluate the evolution of biventricular diastolic function during the first week of life in very low birth weight (VLBW) preterm infants. In this prospective observational study, 20 preterm infants (< 32 weeks gestation or < 1500 g) underwent serial echocardiograms at 24, 48, 72 h, and day 7.