Chloral hydrate. An effective agent for sedation in children with age and weight dependent response

OBJECTIVE: Diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in children are made easier using sedation. However, there is no consensus about which drug should be used to achieve this. Furthermore, none of the drugs used for sedation are risk free. The aim of this work is to study sedation indications, effectiveness, and safety at our center.

METHODS: A prospective observational study conducted at the Pediatric Day Care Unit, King Fahad National Guard Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The study covered 17.5 weeks in 2 periods: May 9th 1999 to June 13th 1999 and October 31st 2001 to February 11th 2002. Children <12 years were included. Collected data included demographics, indication, drug dosing and outcome. Data were reported as mean ± SD.

RESULTS: We included 148 patients, age 38 ± 30 months. Adequate sedation was achieved in 79% after initial chloral hydrate (CH) dose of 56.9 ± 9.3 mg/kg, in 95% after adding 18.5 ± 6.4mg/kg CH and in 96% after adding second drug. Compared to nonrespondents, first CH dose respondents were younger and lower in weight. The CH side effects were few and mild.

CONCLUSION: Chloral hydrate is a safe and effective agent for sedation in children with an age and weight dependent response.