Association of Postnatal Opioid Exposure and 2-year Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Infants Undergoing Cardiac Surgery

In this September 10th, 2024 issue of Jack, Dr. Michael Ogburn's study highlights a troubling association between high postnatal opioid exposure and poorer neurodevelopmental outcomes in infants who have undergone cardiac surgery. Despite careful adjustments for confounding factors, increased opioid use was linked to significant deficits in cognitive, language, and motor skills, emphasizing the need for stricter protocols and alternative pain management strategies in pediatric cardiac care.