Neuromuscular relaxants in the neonate.

Neuromuscular blockade frequently is employed to facilitate mechanical ventilation and other therapeutic interventions in adults and children. In recent years it has been suggested that the use of neuromuscular blockade in the management of premature infants who are ventilated for respiratory distress will reduce the incidence of barotrauma and intracranial hemorrhage. Subsequently, neuromuscular blocking agents have become some of the most commonly used medications in the intensive care nursery. A discussion of these drugs is included in this article to improve the understanding of their pharmacology, the indications and consequence of their use, and their potential side effects. Additionally, the recent introduction of new, shorter-acting agents warrants a review of current practice.