Rocuronium and Fentanyl for Neonatal Intubation: A Randomized Clinical Trial (NEORIN) (NEORIN)

June 10, 2026 updated by: Jefferson Pereira Guilherme, UEA - Universidade Do Estado Do Amazonas

Effect of the Association of Fentanyl and Rocuronium on First-Attempt Success Rate of Tracheal Intubation in Newborns: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Tracheal intubation is a common and critical procedure in neonatal intensive care units (NICU). Despite its clinical importance, first-attempt success rates remain low (approximately 50%), and adverse events - including oxygen desaturation, bradycardia, and airway trauma - are frequent. Premedication with neuromuscular blocking agents has been associated with improved intubation conditions and fewer adverse events in neonates.

This randomized, double-blind, parallel-group clinical trial (NEORIN) aims to evaluate whether the addition of rocuronium (0,6 mg/kg IV) to standard fentanyl premedication (1 mcg/kg IV) improves first-attempt success rates of tracheal intubation in newborns admitted to the NICU of Maternidade Ana Braga, Manaus, Brazil. The control group will receive fentanyl plus saline placebo. Sugammadex (16 mg/kg IV) is available as a reversal agent in case of prolonged neuromuscular blockade.

A secondary aim is to assess neonatologists' and residents' knowledge of and barriers to the use of neuromuscular blocking agents in neonatal intubation.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Neonatal tracheal intubation is performed in approximately 15-20% of NICU admissions. First-attempt success rates are approximately 49%, and adverse tracheal intubation-associated events (TIAEs) occur in up to 18% of procedures, with severe oxygen desaturation in up to 48% (NEAR4NEOS registry, Foglia et al., 2019). Premedication with neuromuscular blocking agents has been independently associated with a 62% reduction in adverse events (aOR 0.38; 95% CI 0.25-0.57).

Rocuronium is a non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent with rapid onset, stable hemodynamic profile, and full reversibility with sugammadex, making it a safe choice for neonatal premedication.

The NEORIN trial will enroll 102 newborns (51 per group) with postnatal age ≤28 days or corrected gestational age <44 weeks, requiring non-emergent tracheal intubation. Randomization will be performed in variable-sized permuted blocks (4 and 6), with allocation concealment through sequential opaque sealed envelopes.

Intervention group: fentanyl 1 mcg/kg IV + rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg IV. Control group: fentanyl 1 mcg/kg IV + saline placebo (equivalent volume). Sugammadex is available at the bedside throughout the study as a mandatory safety requirement.

The primary composite outcome is first-attempt intubation success without physiological instability, defined as correct tube placement on the first laryngoscopy attempt confirmed by colorimetric CO2 detection, with no SpO2 drop >20% from baseline and no bradycardia (HR <100 bpm). All procedures will be video-recorded for blinded outcome assessment.

A secondary descriptive study will assess neonatologists' and residents' knowledge of and barriers to neuromuscular blocking agent use in neonatal intubation, using a structured questionnaire applied before the start of the clinical trial.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
102

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Phase 4

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.
  • Name: JEFFERSON PEREIRA GUILHERME, M.D., Ph.D. candidate
  • Phone Number: +55 92981228890
  • Email: jpguilherme@uea.edu.br

Study Locations

  • Brazil
    • Amazonas
      • Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil, 69057000
        • Maternidade Ana Braga - UTI Neonatal
        • Contact:
          • JEFFERSON PEREIRA GUILHERME, M.D.; PhD candidate
          • Phone Number: +55 92 981228890
          • Email: jpguilherme@uea.edu.br

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Child

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Newborn admitted to the Neonatal ICU with postnatal age ≤28 days or corrected gestational age <44 weeks Clinical indication for non-emergent tracheal intubation, defined as a minimum interval of 5 minutes between the decision to intubate and the start of laryngoscopy Informed consent signed by legal guardian

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Emergency intubation (cardiac arrest, acute airway obstruction with rapidly progressive desaturation, or any situation where delay for premedication represents immediate risk to life) Known or suspected upper airway malformation (micrognathia, limited mouth opening or neck extension, cleft palate, cervical hemangioma or mass, or history of difficult intubation) Use of neuromuscular blocking agent within 24 hours prior to intubation Known hypersensitivity to fentanyl or rocuronium Severe hemodynamic instability (ongoing shock requiring fluid bolus or initiation of vasoactive drug within the preceding 2 hours) Cyanotic congenital heart disease with shunt dependency or critical instability Maternal chronic opioid use or active neonatal abstinence syndrome Simultaneous participation in another interventional clinical trial involving premedication or airway management Any situation in which the attending physician considers participation clinically unsafe

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Fentanyl + Rocuronium
Fentanyl 1 mcg/kg IV followed by rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg IV, administered sequentially before non-emergent tracheal intubation.
Drug: Rocuronium Bromide 10 MG/ML
Rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg IV, single dose, administered as a bolus after fentanyl 1 mcg/kg IV, approximately 60 seconds before laryngoscopy
Active Comparator: Fentanyl Only
Fentanyl 1 mcg/kg IV administered before non-emergent tracheal intubation, without neuromuscular blocking agent.
Drug: Rocuronium Bromide 10 MG/ML
Rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg IV, single dose, administered as a bolus after fentanyl 1 mcg/kg IV, approximately 60 seconds before laryngoscopy
Drug: Fentanyl 1 mcg/kg IV, single dose, administered before non-emergent tracheal intubation.
Fentanyl 1 mcg/kg IV, single dose, administered before non-emergent tracheal intubation in both groups.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
First-attempt intubation success without physiological instability
Time Frame: During the intubation procedure, from first laryngoscopy attempt to confirmation of tube position (up to 5 minutes)
Composite outcome defined as correct endotracheal tube placement on the first laryngoscopy attempt, confirmed by colorimetric CO2 detection, with no SpO2 drop greater than 20% from baseline and no bradycardia (heart rate below 100 bpm) of any duration. A new attempt is defined as removal and reinsertion of the laryngoscope blade into the oral cavity.
During the intubation procedure, from first laryngoscopy attempt to confirmation of tube position (up to 5 minutes)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Total number of intubation attempts
Time Frame: During the intubation procedure, from first laryngoscopy attempt to successful intubation (up to 5 minutes)
Total number of laryngoscopy attempts required to achieve successful tracheal intubation, defined as each insertion of the laryngoscope blade into the oral cavity until its removal, regardless of tube insertion.
During the intubation procedure, from first laryngoscopy attempt to successful intubation (up to 5 minutes)
Procedure duration
Time Frame: From first laryngoscopy attempt to confirmation of endotracheal tube position, assessed during the intubation procedure (up to 5 minutes)
Time in seconds from the first laryngoscopy attempt to confirmation of correct endotracheal tube position by colorimetric CO2 detection.
From first laryngoscopy attempt to confirmation of endotracheal tube position, assessed during the intubation procedure (up to 5 minutes)
Severe oxygen desaturation
Time Frame: During the intubation procedure, from first laryngoscopy attempt to successful intubation (up to 5 minutes)
Occurrence of SpO2 drop greater than 20% from baseline value or SpO2 below 80%, at any point during the intubation procedure.
During the intubation procedure, from first laryngoscopy attempt to successful intubation (up to 5 minutes)
Bradycardia during intubation
Time Frame: During the intubation procedure, from first laryngoscopy attempt to confirmation of tube position (up to 5 minutes)
Occurrence of heart rate below 100 bpm at any point during the intubation procedure.
During the intubation procedure, from first laryngoscopy attempt to confirmation of tube position (up to 5 minutes)
Need for additional maneuvers
Time Frame: During the intubation procedure, from first laryngoscopy attempt to confirmation of tube position (up to 5 minutes)
Need for any additional maneuver during intubation, including external laryngeal manipulation, blade change, stylet use, or change of intubating physician.
During the intubation procedure, from first laryngoscopy attempt to confirmation of tube position (up to 5 minutes)
Medication-related adverse events
Time Frame: During the intubation procedure, from first laryngoscopy attempt to confirmation of tube position (up to 5 minutes)
Occurrence of adverse events related to study medications, including hypotension, chest wall rigidity, allergic reactions, or need for sugammadex due to prolonged neuromuscular blockade.
During the intubation procedure, from first laryngoscopy attempt to confirmation of tube position (up to 5 minutes)
Knowledge and barriers to neuromuscular blocking agent use
Time Frame: At the time of enrollment, before the intubation procedure, assessed once per participant
Score on a structured questionnaire assessing neonatologists' and residents' knowledge, attitudes, and barriers to the use of neuromuscular blocking agents in neonatal tracheal intubation. Applied as a descriptive cross-sectional sub-study before the start of the clinical trial.
At the time of enrollment, before the intubation procedure, assessed once per participant

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
UEA - Universidade Do Estado Do Amazonas

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

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Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
September 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
August 1, 2028

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
February 1, 2029

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
June 10, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
June 10, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
June 16, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
June 16, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
June 10, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • NEORIN-2026-MAB/UEA

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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