Is morphine a suitable analgesia for the ventilated neonate? A discussion of the research findings the alternatives and their implications upon neonatal intensive care

It has become routine practice within the majority of Neonatal units to administer analgesia in the form of intravenous morphine via infusion to all babies requiring mechanical ventilation. Recent research, however, has suggested that morphine may increase the risk of severe intraventricular haemorrhage in neonates. If this is found to be the case, then as professionals should we be seeking an alternative? This paper discusses the alternatives available to us at present. It discusses both pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods of analgesia and the implications for their use within neonatal intensive care. It considers both the cost and ethical issues involved with the alternatives available. It also considers the implications for the parents of the neonate faced with having to make difficult and often emotive choices.