Early neonatal drug utilization in preterm newborns in neonatal intensive care units. Italian Collaborative Group on Preterm Delivery.

The pattern of drug use in preterm newborns admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICU) was monitored as part of a large multicenter study including a representative sample of Italian NICUs. All prescriptions from the admission of the mother through the 1st week of the neonate's life were carefully documented on standardized ad hoc forms, with particular attention to the timing and duration of each prescribed drug. The 706 babies included in the surveillance program received an average of 1.7 drugs during the early neonatal period, and were exposed to an average of 3.4 drugs over the whole perinatal period. The most commonly used drugs postnatally were vitamins, antibiotics (ampicillin, gentamicin and tobramycin), methylxanthines (aminophylline and caffeine), phenobarbital and furosemide. The frequency and intensity of the use of these drugs appears to be directly related to the severity of the clinical status, and inversely related to birth weight and gestational age.