EFFECTS OF IV MORPHINE ON NOCICEPTIVE STRESS RESPONSES AND CARDIORESPIRATORY STABILITY OF PREMATURE NEONATES FOLLOWING SURGERY (INTRAVENOUS).
Contributors: University of California, San Francisco.
Published: 1995
Number of pages: 192
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery.
Description: This study evaluated the effects of a single dose of intravenous (iv) morphine on nociceptive stress responses of premature neonates following surgery. In addition, the effects of iv administration of morphine on the cardiorespiratory function of the premature neonates was evaluated. Changes in plasma norepinephrine (NE) levels, vagal tone index (VTI), flexor reflex threshold (FRT), and cardiorespiratory status were measured following administration of morphine to premature neonates within the first twelve hours following surgery.

Measures were obtained during the preoperative period and in the postoperative period immediately prior to the administration of the first postoperative dose of morphine. Measures were again obtained 20 minutes and 1 hour after the morphine dose.

No significant changes from preoperative baseline values were observed in plasma NE levels at the pre- or post-morphine measures. VTI decreased significantly from preoperative baseline levels but did not change significantly between the pre- and post-morphine measures. In the neonates who demonstrated a flexor reflex during the postoperative period, there were no significant differences from preoperative FRT levels and no changes in FRT between the pre- and post-morphine measures. Heart rate increased significantly, respiratory rate decreased significantly, and oxygen saturation tended to decrease between the preoperative baseline and the pre-morphine measures. These differences were not clinically significant. There were no differences in blood pressure measures between the baseline and pre-morphine measures. There were no statistically significant differences in any of the cardiorespiratory measures at 20 or 1 hour following morphine administration.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 56-08, Section: B, page: 4239.

Thesis (PH.D.)--UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO, 1995.

School code: 0034.