Trends in Gabapentin Use in Neonatal Intensive Care Units from 2005 to 2020.

Abstract

Objective:  This study aimed to analyze trends in gabapentin use in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and examine demographic characteristics, diagnoses, and concomitant medications associated with its use.

Study design:  Cohort study of 987,181 infants hospitalized in the NICU from 2005 to 2020.

Results:  Eighty-five infants (<0.01%) received gabapentin. From 2009 to 2020, there was a 1,055% relative increase in gabapentin use (p < 0.01). The median birth weight was 2,160 g (25th, 75th percentiles: 875, 3,080 g) in gabapentin-exposed infants compared with 2,498 g (1,890, 3,210 g) in unexposed infants (p < 0.001). Over half (55%) of infants receiving gabapentin were born prematurely, 54% (n = 45) had chronic lung disease, 46% (n = 39) had gastrostomy tubes, and 34% (n = 29) had drug withdrawal syndrome; 49% (n = 42) and 27% (n = 23) received opioids and benzodiazepines, respectively.

Conclusion:  Use of gabapentin was rare but increased over time despite limited research on its safety and efficacy in infants, illuminating the need for further studies.

Key points: · Gabapentin safety in infants is not well understood.. · Gabapentin use increased despite limited safety research.. · Further studies on gabapentin use in infants are needed..