PREMEDICATION FOR NEONATAL INTUBATION

The incidence of complications was recorded for 269 consecutive neonat al endotracheal intubations after instituting a routine policy of prem edication. Two hundred and fifty-three of the intubations were premedi cated with a combination of atropine, fentanyl and succinylcholine, 19 4 were without incident, 28 required two attempts, 22 required more th an two attempts, and 9 required a second attempt with a smaller endotr acheal tube. All infants were successfully intubated. We conclude that a policy of routine neonatal premedication for intubation is safe, fe asible, and humane.