Different weight-based fentanyl dosing rates may be required for infants and children of different ages to achieve similar plasma concentrations. Using SBS scores may guide the dosing titration of fentanyl that resulted in plasma concentrations within the therapeutic range of 1-3 ng/mL.

For those who developed tolerance to fentanyl and/or a sedative, it was noted one day after goal sedation was achieved.

This study included children admitted to the pediatric or cardiovascular intensive care unit between January 1-October 31, 2016, who were >30 days to <18 years of age, receiving ventilatory support via endotracheal tube or tracheostomy, and receiving a fentanyl infusion. Seventeen children, with a median age of 0.83 years (range: 0.1-12) and weight of 8.7 kg (range: 3.4-52), were included. The fentanyl PK was adequately described by a weight-based allometry model with the power of 0.75 for clearance (CL=89.8 L/hr/70kg) and distributional CL, and 1 for volumes of distribution.

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