Potential Drug-Drug Interactions in Critically Ill Neonates: Association With Clinical Outcomes in a Prospective Cohort

Background and aims: Neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) are frequently exposed to multiple medications, increasing the risk of potential drug-drug interactions (pDDIs). However, the clinical impact of these interactions remains poorly understood in this population. This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of pDDIs in critically ill neonates and their association with clinical outcomes and laboratory parameters.

Methods

This prospective cohort study included 365 neonates admitted to a NICU in Brazil between March 2023 and March 2024. Pharmacotherapy was monitored daily for the identification of pDDIs using the UpToDate database. Interactions were grouped according to their potential clinical outcomes and analyzed for their association with clinical and laboratory parameters. The evaluated parameters included heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, creatinine clearance, urine output, and blood urea nitrogen.