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Intranasal Fentanyl in the Palliative Care of Newborns
and InfantsMichael Harlos et al. Journal of pain and Symptom Management.
Vol. 46 No 2. August 2013: 265-274.
Journal Club February 20, 2014Andi Chatburn, DO
Case #1
• Baby M• 6 month old born with hypoplastic left heart• Respiratory failure, trach with vent• Frequent episodes of desat and bradycardia
over past 72 hours• Dyspneic• No IV. • Sublingual Morphine not alleviating dyspnea
Clinical Question
Is intranasal Fentanyl a safe, quick, and effective way to relieve pain and dyspnea in
infants at the end of life?
PICO• Patients: 11 neonates at end of life
• Intervention: Intranasal Fentanyl
• Comparison: sublingual morphine**not used due to poor absorption and long time to maximal concentration
• Outcome: Intranasal Fentanyl alleviated distress in dying neonates
Background
• Researchers:Palliative Care, Anesthesiology
• Why:• IN Fentanyl safe and effective in adults• No good minimally invasive method for
palliating symptoms in dying neonates• IO/UAC/UVC routes too invasive/traumatic• Peripheral IV often unobtainable.
Methods• Single Hospital• St. Boniface General Hospital, Winnipeg
• When? • Nov 2006-July 2010
• Where? • Winnipeg Regional Health Authority
• Who? • Patients admitted to Peds Palliative Care Service• 58 patient charts reviewed• 11 cases used IN Fentanyl
Inclusion Criteria
• Infants perceived to be in respiratory distress• Increased work of breathing:• Tachypnea• Nasal flaring• Grunting• Use of accessory muscles• Chest wall retractions
• Evidence of Distress:• Restlessness, irritability, crying
Exclusion Criteria
• Fentanyl not used:• Increased work of breathing in the absence of
distress• Newborns with progressive apneic episodes
Cases
Outcomes
• Primary Endpoints: control of pain • Secondary Endpoints: • Maximizes family time with infant• Minimizes medical team interruptions• Minimizes “medicalization” of death
Findings
• IN Fentanyl allowed all 11 infants to be comfortable
• 7 of the infants were able to receive care in settings that would not conventionally support the care of a dying
• No adverse events reported
Discussion• Simple administration• Clinically effective• Allows for sharing minimal time with family• Transmucosal route may buffer risk of glottic
or chest wall rigidity• Challenge: no validated tool for assessing
respiratory distress in newborns
Did it Change My Practice?
• Yes!• But how much does it cost? • Is it practical?
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