[Premedication before tracheal intubation in French neonatal intensive care units and delivery rooms]

Abstract

Tracheal intubation is a painful procedure commonly used in the neonatal intensive care units and in the delivery rooms. It can be complicated by changes in vital signs.

Objective: To ascertain the use of sedatives and/or analgesics before tracheal intubation in French neonatal intensive care units and delivery rooms.

Methods: A survey by questionnaire sent to 58 neonatal intensive care units and 58 maternities.

Results: We obtained 46 responses (79,3%) from the neonatal intensive care units and 38 (65,5%) from the delivery rooms. In neonatal intensive care units, 74% of the newborns received a sedative and/or an analgesic before being intubated, and 60% of the units had specific written guidelines. Opioïds and benzodiazepines were the main drugs used. In the delivery rooms, sedatives or analgesics were only used in 21% of the centres.

Conclusion: The use of sedation-analgesia seems to improve in neonatology but is still insufficient in the delivery rooms. The development of specific guidelines and a best learning about the different drugs are necessary.