Accidental dexmedetomidine overdose in preterm newborns: a report of 3 cases

TL;DR

This paper reports three cases of accidental dexmedetomidine overdose in preterm newborns and their clinical effects.

Contribution

The study is the first to describe clinical presentations of dexmedetomidine overdose in newborns due to a medication error.

Findings

Three preterm newborns showed similar symptoms including apnea, gasping breathing, and hypotonia after accidental dexmedetomidine overdose.

Symptoms resolved within hours, and no long-term effects were observed during follow-up.

Dexmedetomidine was mistakenly administered instead of caffeine due to a 'look alike' medication error.

Abstract

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.

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.

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.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13052-025-02060-1.

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