Accidental dexmedetomidine overdose in preterm newborns: a report of 3 cases
Abstract Background Dexmedetomidine use in neonatal units is increasing. Data on its safety are still limited. There are no previous reports of clinical presentation of dexmedetomidine overdose in newborns. Case presentation Three babies simultaneously developed a similar clinical picture of recurre...
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BMC
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Italian Journal of Pediatrics |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13052-025-02060-1 |
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| author | Giulia Paviotti Mariabeatrice D’Agostini Isabella Mauro Federica Bortolotti Rossella Gottardo Carla Pittini |
| author_facet | Giulia Paviotti Mariabeatrice D’Agostini Isabella Mauro Federica Bortolotti Rossella Gottardo Carla Pittini |
| author_sort | Giulia Paviotti |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Dexmedetomidine use in neonatal units is increasing. Data on its safety are still limited. There are no previous reports of clinical presentation of dexmedetomidine overdose in newborns. Case presentation Three babies simultaneously developed a similar clinical picture of recurrent apneas, a typical “gasping” breathing pattern, irritability followed by hypotonia and hyporeactivity, hyperglycaemia, hypocapnia, increase in lactates and a suppression-burst pattern on CFM/EEG. Babies required intubation and mechanical ventilation due to poor respiratory effort. Symptoms resolved completely in a few hours. Dexmedetomidine was administered enterally by a nasogastric tube in place of caffeine due to “look alike” medication error. Dexmedetomidine was retrieved in biological samples. Babies were developing regularly at post-discharge follow up visits. Conclusion Dexmedetomidine overdose due to medication error is possible in newborns and should be suspected in case of clinical presentations similar to the one we reported. Measures should be implemented in neonatal units for a safe use of dexmedetomidine. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-36e63a3b883f4ed48a36c17dd3d59547 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1824-7288 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Italian Journal of Pediatrics |
| spelling | doaj-art-36e63a3b883f4ed48a36c17dd3d595472025-08-20T04:02:55ZengBMCItalian Journal of Pediatrics1824-72882025-07-015111710.1186/s13052-025-02060-1Accidental dexmedetomidine overdose in preterm newborns: a report of 3 casesGiulia Paviotti0Mariabeatrice D’Agostini1Isabella Mauro2Federica Bortolotti3Rossella Gottardo4Carla Pittini5Division of Neonatology, University Hospital of UdineDepartment of Medicine-DMed, University of UdineDivision of Neonatology, University Hospital of UdineDepartment of Diagnostic and Public Health, Unit of Forensic Medicine, University of VeronaDepartment of Diagnostic and Public Health, Unit of Forensic Medicine, University of VeronaDivision of Neonatology, University Hospital of UdineAbstract Background Dexmedetomidine use in neonatal units is increasing. Data on its safety are still limited. There are no previous reports of clinical presentation of dexmedetomidine overdose in newborns. Case presentation Three babies simultaneously developed a similar clinical picture of recurrent apneas, a typical “gasping” breathing pattern, irritability followed by hypotonia and hyporeactivity, hyperglycaemia, hypocapnia, increase in lactates and a suppression-burst pattern on CFM/EEG. Babies required intubation and mechanical ventilation due to poor respiratory effort. Symptoms resolved completely in a few hours. Dexmedetomidine was administered enterally by a nasogastric tube in place of caffeine due to “look alike” medication error. Dexmedetomidine was retrieved in biological samples. Babies were developing regularly at post-discharge follow up visits. Conclusion Dexmedetomidine overdose due to medication error is possible in newborns and should be suspected in case of clinical presentations similar to the one we reported. Measures should be implemented in neonatal units for a safe use of dexmedetomidine.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13052-025-02060-1DexmedetomidineMedication errorNewbornOverdoseCase report |
| spellingShingle | Giulia Paviotti Mariabeatrice D’Agostini Isabella Mauro Federica Bortolotti Rossella Gottardo Carla Pittini Accidental dexmedetomidine overdose in preterm newborns: a report of 3 cases Italian Journal of Pediatrics Dexmedetomidine Medication error Newborn Overdose Case report |
| title | Accidental dexmedetomidine overdose in preterm newborns: a report of 3 cases |
| title_full | Accidental dexmedetomidine overdose in preterm newborns: a report of 3 cases |
| title_fullStr | Accidental dexmedetomidine overdose in preterm newborns: a report of 3 cases |
| title_full_unstemmed | Accidental dexmedetomidine overdose in preterm newborns: a report of 3 cases |
| title_short | Accidental dexmedetomidine overdose in preterm newborns: a report of 3 cases |
| title_sort | accidental dexmedetomidine overdose in preterm newborns a report of 3 cases |
| topic | Dexmedetomidine Medication error Newborn Overdose Case report |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13052-025-02060-1 |
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