Sedation is an important aspect of care for critically ill newborns. Proper 
sedation reduces stress during procedures such as mechanical ventilation. 
Midazolam, a short-acting benzodiazepine, is widely administered as a sedative 
in newborn intensive care units but is not without side effects. Three term 
newborns developed myoclonic-like abnormal movements after receiving midazolam. 
In one, flumazenil controlled the abnormal movements. Flumazenil is a potent 
benzodiazepine antagonist that competitively blocks the central effects of 
benzodiazepines. It can reverse the sedative effects of benzodiazepines 
occurring after diagnostic or therapeutic procedures or after benzodiazepine 
overdose. Flumazenil may be considered in cases of abnormal movements associated 
with midazolam. However, further studies are needed to provide guidelines for 
the administration of this drug in newborns.