Continuous Infusion of Fentanyl in Preterm on MV

Efficacy and Safety of Continuous Infusion of Fentanyl for Pain Control in Preterm Newborn on Mechanical Ventilation

The objective of this randomized, double-blind trial is to compare the efficacy and safety of 2 therapeutic regimens of fentanyl administration in a population of preterm newborns of GA <= 32 weeks in MV:

• Group A) continuous infusion of Fentanyl + open label boluses of Fentanyl;
• Group B) continuous infusion of placebo + open label boluses of Fentanyl.

The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the analgesic superiority of Fentanyl given as 'continuous infusion + boluses' versus 'boluses alone' by comparing pain scores obtained by the application of validated algometric scales for chronic pain (EDIN - Echelle Douleur Inconfort Nouveau-Nè) and acute pain (PIPP- Premature Infant Pain Profile).

The secondary objective of the study is to evaluate the safety equivalence of the above 2 therapeutic regimens by recording:

• Rate of mechanically ventilated newborns at one week of age
• Age at which neonates will reach total enteral feeding
• Age (hours) of first meconium passage
• Incidence of intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH), periventricular leucomalacia (PVL) or death within 28 days of life
• Incidence of bladder globe during the first week of life
• Incidence of hypotension during the first week of life

5.2.1 Pain measurement: during the study phase acute pain will be measured once a day during a heel prick by a validated algometric scale for acute pain (PIPP); chronic pain will be measured 3 times a day by a validated algometric scale for chronic pain (EDIN). Inter-rater reliability has been shown acceptable for both scales (26,27). Moreover, in October 2006 the Coordinating Center organized a theoretical and practical course on the correct application of the PIPP and EDIN scales (26,27) for all the participating centers in order to reduce the inter-Center variability in pain measurement.

The EDIN scores will be recorded in a specific CRF (CRF N°1, p. 15). The PIPP scores will be reported in a specific CRF (CRF N° 1, pp. 8-14).

5.2.2 Painful procedures: the following painful procedures, as well as the action taken to reduce pain, will be recorded in the same CRF (CRF N° 1, pp. 8-14):

• heel pricks
• endotracheal aspirations
• venous blood samplings
• pneumothorax drainage
• peripherally inserted central catheter positioning
• others (specify) 5.2.3 Fentanyl open label boluses administration: all the boluses of open label fentanyl administered according to the criteria reported in paragraph 6.1.1 have to be recorded in a special CRF (CRF N° 1, p. 7).

5.2.4 Instrumental examinations: a heart ultrasound has to be obtained in all newborns in the first week of life in order to diagnose patent ductus arteriosus. Brain ultrasound has to be repeated at 4, 7 days of age and then twice a month or when clinically indicated.

Inclusion Criteria:

• inborn neonates
• preterm neonates ≤ 32+ 6 days weeks gestation
• < 72 hours of life
• newborns on MV
• within 24 hours from the beginning of MV administered through an endotracheal tube
• parental written informed consent for participation in the study must be obtained

Exclusion Criteria:

• Evidence of severe birth asphyxia, that is an APGAR score below 4 at 5 minutes of age and/or umbilical arterial pH < 7.0
• Known genetic or chromosomal disorders
• Severe IVH (> grade II according to Volpe classification (30))
• Need for post-operative analgesic therapy in the first week of life
• Participation in another clinical trial of any placebo, drug, biological, or device conducted under the provisions of a protocol