Lorazepam Administration in Neonates

Respiratory Monitoring and Support

• The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends maintaining an unobstructed airway, monitoring vital signs continuously, and having artificial ventilation equipment immediately available when administering lorazepam to neonates, due to increased risk of apnea when combined with other sedative agents 1, 2
• Continuous monitoring of oxygen saturation is necessary when administering lorazepam to neonates 1

Clinical Context: Status Epilepticus Management

• The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends phenobarbital as the preferred first-line anticonvulsant for neonatal seizures, with a dosing of 10 mg/kg IV, and notes that neonates have increased risk of phenytoin toxicity due to decreased protein binding 1, 2