Treatment of Pain with Intranasal Fentanyl in Pediatric Patients in an Acute Care Setting: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Aim: The primary objective of this review is to provide an updated, comprehensive overview on the efficacy of intranasal fentanyl (INF) for acute pain relief in the pediatric population. Methods: Utilizing the Preferred Reporting Instructions for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), we were able to screen articles based on key words to reach a final number of 10 studies. Results: All but one study showed that INF was efficacious for pain relief in this select pediatric population. Conclusion: It is evident that INF is efficacious for analgesia, but other agents should also be considered in this patient population. As a result, further research is needed to investigate the clinically efficacy of INF in an acute care setting for pediatric patients.

Keywords::

• acute
• analgesia
• emergency
• fentanyl
• intranasal
• pain
• pediatrics

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.