Gap finder

Search review questions

Each row is one question a systematic review asked: who, what, compared with what, and which outcome, with the effect it found and how certain that is. Words match anywhere in the field.

Limit to evidence status or GRADE (optional)

2,353 questions in 210 reviews · Neonatal

current versions
No studies 432 · 18.4%Ungraded 99 · 4.2%Very low 609 · 25.9%Low 737 · 31.3%Moderate 385 · 16.4%High 91 · 3.9%

Ungraded means an effect was reported without a GRADE rating; it is not a gap. No studies means the review found nothing to answer the question. The six categories are a display order, not a score.

QuestionEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Summary of findings table ‐ Phenobarbital vs levetiracetam
Proportion of infants who achieve seizure control after maximal loading dose of ASM · clinically diagnosed neonatal seizures
Anti‐seizure medications for neonates with seizures (2023) · Cochrane
RR 0.58 [0.47, 0.72]3 studies · 260 participantsVery low
Continuous infusion vs bolus administration
Pain · postoperative pain in neonates
Systemic opioid regimens for postoperative pain in neonates (2023) · Cochrane
MD 02 studies · 133 participantsVery low
'As needed' administration (e.g. based on pain scales) vs 'as scheduled' administration (e.g. a predefined time interval)
Major neurodevelopmental disability in children aged 18 to 24 months or three to five years old ‐ not reported · postoperative pain in neonates
Systemic opioid regimens for postoperative pain in neonates (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
'As needed' administration (e.g. based on pain scales) vs 'as scheduled' administration (e.g. a predefined time interval)
Cognitive and educational outcomes in children more than five years old ‐ not reported · postoperative pain in neonates
Systemic opioid regimens for postoperative pain in neonates (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
'As needed' administration (e.g. based on pain scales) vs 'as scheduled' administration (e.g. a predefined time interval)
Severe (defined as stage 3 or greater) retinopathy of prematurity ‐ not reported · postoperative pain in neonates
Systemic opioid regimens for postoperative pain in neonates (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
'As needed' administration (e.g. based on pain scales) vs 'as scheduled' administration (e.g. a predefined time interval)
Severe (grade 3 or greater) intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) on cranial ultrasound ‐ not reported · postoperative pain in neonates
Systemic opioid regimens for postoperative pain in neonates (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Continuous infusion vs bolus administration
Pain · postoperative pain in neonates
Systemic opioid regimens for postoperative pain in neonates (2023) · Cochrane
MD 0.072 studies · 133 participantsVery low
Continuous infusion vs bolus administration
All‐cause mortality during initial hospitalization ‐ not reported · postoperative pain in neonates
Systemic opioid regimens for postoperative pain in neonates (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Continuous infusion vs bolus administration
Major neurodevelopmental disability in children aged 18 to 24 months or three to five years old ‐ not reported · postoperative pain in neonates
Systemic opioid regimens for postoperative pain in neonates (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Continuous infusion vs bolus administration
Cognitive and educational outcomes in children more than five years old ‐ not reported · postoperative pain in neonates
Systemic opioid regimens for postoperative pain in neonates (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Continuous infusion vs bolus administration
Severe (defined as stage 3 or greater) retinopathy of prematurity ‐ not reported · postoperative pain in neonates
Systemic opioid regimens for postoperative pain in neonates (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Continuous infusion vs bolus administration
Severe (grade 3 or greater) intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) on cranial ultrasound ‐ not reported · postoperative pain in neonates
Systemic opioid regimens for postoperative pain in neonates (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
'As needed' administration (e.g. based on pain scales) vs 'as scheduled' administration (e.g. a predefined time interval)
Pain · postoperative pain in neonates
Systemic opioid regimens for postoperative pain in neonates (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
'As needed' administration (e.g. based on pain scales) vs 'as scheduled' administration (e.g. a predefined time interval)
All‐cause mortality during initial hospitalization ‐ not reported · postoperative pain in neonates
Systemic opioid regimens for postoperative pain in neonates (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Opioids vs no treatment/placebo
Pain, assessed using the PIPP/PIPP‐R pain scale, ranging from 0 to 21 and 0 to 18 in preterm infants < 28 weeks' gestational age and full‐term infants, respectively, during procedure · neonates exposed to procedural pain
Opioids for procedural pain in neonates (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 199 participantsModerate
Opioids vs no treatment/placebo
Parent satisfaction with care provided in the NICU (as measured by a validated instrument/tool)—not reported · neonates exposed to procedural pain
Opioids for procedural pain in neonates (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Opioids vs oral sweet solution or non‐pharmacological intervention
Pain, assessed using the CRIES pain scale, ranging from 0 to 10, during the procedure— opioids versus facilitated tucking · neonates exposed to procedural pain
Opioids for procedural pain in neonates (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 100 participantsVery low
Opioids vs oral sweet solution or non‐pharmacological intervention
Pain, assessed using the CRIES pain scale, ranging from 0 to 10, during the procedure— opioids versus sensorial stimulation · neonates exposed to procedural pain
Opioids for procedural pain in neonates (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 100 participantsVery low
Opioids vs oral sweet solution or non‐pharmacological intervention
Any harms · neonates exposed to procedural pain
Opioids for procedural pain in neonates (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Opioids vs oral sweet solution or non‐pharmacological intervention
Episodes of bradycardia—not reported · neonates exposed to procedural pain
Opioids for procedural pain in neonates (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Opioids vs oral sweet solution or non‐pharmacological intervention
Episodes of apnea—not reported · neonates exposed to procedural pain
Opioids for procedural pain in neonates (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Opioids vs oral sweet solution or non‐pharmacological intervention
Hypotension—not reported · neonates exposed to procedural pain
Opioids for procedural pain in neonates (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Opioids vs oral sweet solution or non‐pharmacological intervention
Parent satisfaction with care provided in the NICU—not reported · neonates exposed to procedural pain
Opioids for procedural pain in neonates (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Opioids vs other analgesics
Pain, assessed using the PIPP/PIPP‐R pain scale, ranging from 0 to 21 and 0 to 18 in preterm infants < 28 weeks gestational age and full‐term infants, respectively, during procedure · procedural pain in neonates
Opioids for procedural pain in neonates (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 124 participantsVery low
Opioids vs other analgesics
Pain, assessed using the PIPP/PIPP‐R pain scale up to 30 min after procedure · procedural pain in neonates
Opioids for procedural pain in neonates (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 12 participantsVery low
Opioids vs no treatment/placebo
Pain, assessed using the PIPP/PIPP‐R pain scale up to 30 min after procedure · neonates exposed to procedural pain
Opioids for procedural pain in neonates (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 123 participantsVery low
Opioids vs other analgesics
Pain, assessed using the PIPP/PIPP‐R pain scale 1 to 2 hours after procedure · procedural pain in neonates
Opioids for procedural pain in neonates (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 12 participantsVery low
Opioids vs other analgesics
Any harms · procedural pain in neonates
Opioids for procedural pain in neonates (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Opioids vs other analgesics
Episodes of apnea—during the procedure · procedural pain in neonates
Opioids for procedural pain in neonates (2023) · Cochrane
RR 3.27 [0.85, 12.58]2 studies · 124 participantsVery low
Opioids vs other analgesics
Episodes of apnea—after the procedure · procedural pain in neonates
Opioids for procedural pain in neonates (2023) · Cochrane
RR 2.71 [0.11, 64.96]2 studies · 124 participantsVery low
Opioids vs other analgesics
Episodes of bradycardia—not reported · procedural pain in neonates
Opioids for procedural pain in neonates (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Opioids vs other analgesics
Hypotension · procedural pain in neonates
Opioids for procedural pain in neonates (2023) · Cochrane
RR 1.34 [0.32, 5.59]3 studies · 204 participantsVery low
Opioids vs other analgesics
Parent satisfaction with care provided in the NICU—not reported · procedural pain in neonates
Opioids for procedural pain in neonates (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Opioids vs no treatment/placebo
Pain, assessed using the PIPP/PIPP‐R pain scale 1 to 2 hours after procedure · neonates exposed to procedural pain
Opioids for procedural pain in neonates (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 54 participantsVery low
Opioids vs no treatment/placebo
Pain, assessed using the DAN pain scale, ranging from 0 to 21, 1 to 2 hours after procedure · neonates exposed to procedural pain
Opioids for procedural pain in neonates (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 42 participantsLow
Opioids vs no treatment/placebo
Pain, assessed using the NIPS, ranging from 0 to 7, during procedure · neonates exposed to procedural pain
Opioids for procedural pain in neonates (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 102 participantsLow
Opioids vs no treatment/placebo
Any harms ‐ severe apnea requiring resuscitation · neonates exposed to procedural pain
Opioids for procedural pain in neonates (2023) · Cochrane
RR 7.44 [0.42, 132.95]1 study · 31 participantsVery low
Opioids vs no treatment/placebo
Episodes of bradycardia · neonates exposed to procedural pain
Opioids for procedural pain in neonates (2023) · Cochrane
RR 3.19 [0.14, 72.69]3 studies · 172 participantsVery low
Opioids vs no treatment/placebo
Episodes of apnea · neonates exposed to procedural pain
Opioids for procedural pain in neonates (2023) · Cochrane
RR 3.15 [1.08, 9.16]3 studies · 199 participantsLow
Opioids vs no treatment/placebo
Hypotension · neonates exposed to procedural pain
Opioids for procedural pain in neonates (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 88 participantsVery low
Bubble vs ventilator or Infant Flow Driver nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
Treatment failure · preterm infants receiving nasal CPAP
Bubble devices versus other pressure sources for nasal continuous positive airway pressure in preterm infants (2023) · Cochrane
RR 0.76 [0.6, 0.95]13 studies · 1230 participantsLow
Bubble vs ventilator or Infant Flow Driver nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
All‐cause mortality before hospital discharge · preterm infants receiving nasal CPAP
Bubble devices versus other pressure sources for nasal continuous positive airway pressure in preterm infants (2023) · Cochrane
RR 0.93 [0.64, 1.36]10 studies · 1189 participantsLow
Bubble vs ventilator or Infant Flow Driver nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
Neurodevelopmental impairment · preterm infants receiving nasal CPAP
Bubble devices versus other pressure sources for nasal continuous positive airway pressure in preterm infants (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Bubble vs ventilator or Infant Flow Driver nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
Pneumothorax · preterm infants receiving nasal CPAP
Bubble devices versus other pressure sources for nasal continuous positive airway pressure in preterm infants (2023) · Cochrane
RR 0.73 [0.4, 1.34]14 studies · 1340 participantsLow
Bubble vs ventilator or Infant Flow Driver nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
Moderate‐severe nasal injury · preterm infants receiving nasal CPAP
Bubble devices versus other pressure sources for nasal continuous positive airway pressure in preterm infants (2023) · Cochrane
RR 2.29 [1.37, 3.82]8 studies · 753 participantsModerate
Bubble vs ventilator or Infant Flow Driver nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia · preterm infants receiving nasal CPAP
Bubble devices versus other pressure sources for nasal continuous positive airway pressure in preterm infants (2023) · Cochrane
RR 0.76 [0.53, 1.1]7 studies · 603 participantsLow
Prebiotics vs control
Necrotising enterocolitis (before hospital discharge) · very preterm or very low birth weight infants
Prebiotics to prevent necrotising enterocolitis in very preterm or very low birth weight infants (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted7 studies · 686 participantsLow
Prebiotics vs control
Mortality (all‐cause before hospital discharge) · very preterm or very low birth weight infants
Prebiotics to prevent necrotising enterocolitis in very preterm or very low birth weight infants (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted7 studies · 686 participantsLow
Prebiotics vs control
Late‐onset invasive infection (before hospital discharge) · very preterm or very low birth weight infants
Prebiotics to prevent necrotising enterocolitis in very preterm or very low birth weight infants (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted7 studies · 686 participantsLow
Prebiotics vs control
Bayley Scales of Infant Development Mental Development Index < 85 (assessed beyond infancy) · very preterm or very low birth weight infants
Prebiotics to prevent necrotising enterocolitis in very preterm or very low birth weight infants (2023) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 76 participantsVery low