Treatment of pain with intranasal fentanyl in pediatric patients in an acute care setting: a systematic review

Aim: The primary objective of this review is to provide an updated, comprehensive overview on the efficacy of intranasal fentanyl (INF) for acute pain relief in the pediatric population. Methods: Utilizing the Preferred Reporting Instructions for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), we were able to screen articles based on key words to reach a final number of 10 studies. Results: All but one study showed that INF was efficacious for pain relief in this select pediatric population. Conclusion: It is evident that INF is efficacious for analgesia, but other agents should also be considered in this patient population. As a result, further research is needed to investigate the clinically efficacy of INF in an acute care setting for pediatric patients.