Pediatric Sedation Research Articles

Involvement of anesthesiologists in pediatric sedation and analgesia outside the operating room in Japan: is it too late, or is there still time?

The global COVID-19 pandemic highlighted significant existing supply-demand imbalances in anesthesia workforce, particularly impacting non-operating room anesthesia. Despite documented risks and mortality rates associated with pediatric procedural sedation and analgesia (PPSA) outside the operating room (OR), there is a pressing need for improvements in safety infrastructure. Comparative analysis with international practices reveals that anesthesiologists' involvement is associated with fewer adverse events and improved outcomes. However, lower reimbursement rate for sedation and anesthesia workforce shortage, and decentralized health resources are contributing factors to limit their participation in PPSA outside the OR in Japan. Enhancing the involvement of anesthesiologists through the public health frameworks such as "high-risk approach" and "population approach" can contribute to improvement of the safety and quality of PPSA. By tackling these challenges and implementing effective solutions, anesthesiologists can play a key role in ensuring safer and more effective PPSA outside the OR. Future challenges include enhancing training, addressing reduced clinical exposure due to work style reform, and developing effective educational systems. Research on improved educational approaches and fundamental outcome indices is crucial for improving PPSA practices outside the OR.

Evaluating the safety of procedural sedation in emergency department settings among the pediatric population: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Our meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the safety of procedural sedation and analgesia in pediatric emergency department (ED) settings by investigating the incidence of cardiac, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and neurological adverse events associated with different sedation medications. In accordance with PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive database search for randomized controlled trials was performed across ten databases from January 2005 to June 2024. Our inclusion criteria included randomized controlled trials involving children under 18years old undergoing pediatric sedation and analgesia in the ED. Data on medication types, dosages, administration routes, and adverse events were extracted and analyzed. Primary endpoints included cardiac, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and neurological adverse events. Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria, a total of 2,302 procedural sedations. The most common adverse events were vomiting, agitation, and hypoxia, which occurred in 104.9 [95% CI = 76.9-132.9], 37.5 [95% CI = 20.6-54.4], 38.3 [95% CI = 23.9-52.6] of each 1000 sedations, respectively. Other adverse events included apnea, hypotension, and the need for bag-valve mask ventilation, which occurred in 8.6 [95% CI: 3.5-13.6], 9.3 [95% CI: -1.4 to 20.1], and 13.5 [95% CI: 3.2-23.8] of each 1,000 sedations, respectively. Severe adverse events were rare, with no reported instances of intubation and only one case of laryngospasm. Subgroup analyses revealed varying incidence rates of adverse events across different sedation protocols, with ketamine and its combinations showing higher rates of specific respiratory complications. Procedural sedation in pediatric EDs is generally safe, with a low incidence of adverse events, such as vomiting, agitation, and hypoxia. Life-threatening respiratory adverse events are extremely rare. Our findings thus support the careful selection and monitoring of sedation protocols to minimize risks.

Analgosedation in Pediatric Emergency Care: A Comprehensive Scoping Review

Effective management of pain and anxiety in pediatric emergency room is crucial for ensuring both the physical and emotional well-being of young patients. Analgosedation, a combination of analgesia and sedation, is commonly used to facilitate various procedures in children. However, selecting the optimal agent and administration route remains challenging due to the unique pharmacological profiles and side effects of available drugs. This scoping review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the pharmacological agents used for procedural analgosedation in pediatric emergency settings, focusing on their efficacy, safety, administration routes, and potential side effects. A systematic review of the literature was conducted, focusing on key agents such as ketamine, midazolam, dexmedetomidine, fentanyl, and nitrous oxide. Studies were included based on their relevance to pediatric procedural sedation, particularly in emergency settings. Literature analysis showed that ketamine and fentanyl are effective for managing moderate to severe pain, with a rapid onset of action. Fentanyl is preferred for acute pain management following fractures and burns, while ketamine and midazolam are commonly used for emergency analgosedation. Dexmedetomidine, which induces sedation similar to natural sleep, is particularly effective in preventing pain and agitation during procedures and is well tolerated in children, especially those with developmental disorders. Nitrous oxide, when used in a 50% oxygen mixture, offers a valuable option for conscious sedation during mildly to moderately painful procedures, maintaining respiratory and airway reflexes. No single drug is ideal for all pediatric patients and procedures and the choice of agent should be tailored to the specific clinical scenario, considering both the sensory and affective components of pain. Future research should prioritize large-scale comparative studies, the exploration of combination therapies, and the development of non-pharmacological adjuncts to enhance the safety and efficacy of pediatric analgosedation.

Optimizing Pediatric Sedation: Evaluating Remimazolam and Dexmedetomidine for Safety and Efficacy in Clinical Practice.

Daily, children undergo countless investigations and interventions, which require sedation and immobilization to ensure safety and accuracy. This remains associated with a persistent risk of sedation-induced life-threatening events as children are particularly vulnerable to adverse medical events and complications. Consequently, there is an urgent need to increase the safety of pediatric sedation and anesthesia. An ideal approach involves the use of drugs with fewer intrinsic side effects. In this context, on the basis of their pharmacokinetic properties, remimazolam (RMZ) and dexmedetomidine (DEX) were evaluated for their suitability as ideal sedatives. RMZ and DEX, both of which are currently available in pediatric medicine, have shown great promise in initial publications. To date, only very limited data concerning RMZ in small children are available. RMZ is a novel, ultrashort-acting benzodiazepine that is metabolized by tissue esterase, largely independent of organ function. It has a context-sensitive half-life of approximately 10 min, with minimal accumulation even with prolonged use. Its effects can be completely reversed with flumazenil. DEX, an isomer of medetomidine, is a potent α2-receptor-agonist with multiple indications in anesthesia and intensive care medicine. It has coanalgesic potential, allows for 'arousal sedations' and has a low profile for cardiorespiratory side effects. DEX is metabolized in the liver and is predominantly excreted renally. Both drugs show potential in the prevention and treatment of delirium, with DEX having additional neuroprotective effects. DEX and RMZ possess several properties of an optimal sedative, including clinically insignificant main metabolites and a broad dosage range, indicating their potential to reduce the incidence of sedation-related life-threatening events in children. However, further clinical research is necessary to better evaluate their potential risks.

Incidence and risk factors of prolonged recovery during procedural sedation in pediatrics.

Sedation-related adverse events not only referred to a cause for morbidity and mortality but also included events that could disrupt routine procedures and thus lead to reduced procedural efficiency or quality. To date, no literature is available to predict the risk factors associated with prolonged recovery in pediatric patients during procedural sedation. Thus, we retrospectively analyzed the two-year sedation data to explore the above questions. Pediatric patients who underwent procedural sedation between January 2022 and January 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups according to sedation duration <120 min (Non-prolonged recovery group); or ≧ 120 min (Prolonged recovery group). The primary outcome was the incidence of prolonged recovery. Risk factors associated with prolonged recovery were assessed. A total of 30,003 patients were identified; 854 (2.8%) developed prolonged recovery during procedural sedation. By multivariate regression, a higher body weight (OR 1.03, 95%CI 1.01-1.05), outpatients (OR 1.31, 95%CI 1.07-1.59), patients with sedation history (OR 1.25, 95%CI 1.07-1.44), and patients received chloral hydrate (OR 1.47, 95%CI 1.06-2.03), were associated with increased odds of the prolonged recovery with the initial sedative(s). Monitoring time needs to be extended in patients with sedation history, those with heavier weights, outpatients, and those who received chloral hydrate.

Development and characterization of novel fast-dissolving pentobarbital suppositories for pediatric procedural sedation and comparison with lipophilic formulations

For pediatric radiological procedures (RP), pentobarbital sodium (PNa) can be used orally or rectally to replace intravenous anesthesia. Since no commercial PNa suppositories exist, they must be prepared by compounding pharmacies. This study aims to develop fast-dissolving PNa suppositories for fast pharmacological activity during RP. We prepared gelatin (G), gelatin/polyethylene glycol 4000 (GP), and polyethylene glycol 4000 (P) suppositories, with and without pH adjustment, and assessed their dosage uniformity (DU), softening time, rupture resistance, and in-vitro dissolution. An optimal formulation was selected, and PNa release was compared to that of fat-based suppositories using dissolution tests. Additionally, the quality control process (analytical performance, safety/eco-friendliness and productivity/practical effectiveness) of these formulas were compared using a RGB method. All hydrophilic formulas (HF) met the DU requirement (AV < 8 %) except for P (AV 15.62 ± 4 %). pH adjustment enhanced G and GP suppositories resistance to 2.2 ± 0.2 kg and 2.0 ± 0.3 kg, respectively, and allowed 100 % release of PNa in under 10 min. In contrast, lipophilic formulas released less than 80 % of PNa at best after 120 min. These results show the biopharmaceutical suitability of HF for RP compared to lipophilic ones, but a pharmacokinetic study is needed to confirm data.

Glycopyrrolate Premedication and Procedure-Related Events in Pediatric Upper Endoscopy.

Glycopyrrolate premedication is used for pediatric upper endoscopy procedures, with limited clinical evidence for efficacy. We investigated whether glycopyrrolate use is associated with lower incidence of procedure-related events and serious adverse events (SAEs) using the Pediatric Sedation Research Consortium registry. Pediatric upper endoscopy procedures performed between April 27, 2020 and February 3, 2022 were included (N = 1046). The primary outcome was the incidence of any procedure-related events during induction, maintenance, or recovery, and the secondary outcome was incidence of SAEs. The event rate was 15%, including 30 SAEs (3%). On multivariable analysis, glycopyrrolate was not associated with the overall event rate (odds ratio [OR]: 1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.72, 1.61), but was associated with lower odds of SAEs (OR: 0.34; 95% CI: 0.13, 0.91). Although glycopyrrolate was associated with lower odds of SAEs after accounting for patient and procedure characteristics, validation through prospective trials is needed to support its routine use in clinical practice.

Pediatric sedation outside the operating room integrating dexmedetomidine for MRI and CT scan procedures: A systematic review

This systematic review evaluates the efficacy and safety of dexmedetomidine as a sedative for pediatric patients undergoing MRI and CT scans outside the operating room. A comprehensive search of databases, including PubMed, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library, identified relevant studies. Data on sedation success rates, onset and recovery times, adverse events, dosing, administration, and hemodynamic stability were extracted and analyzed. The results indicate that dexmedetomidine has high sedation success rates and a favorable safety profile, effectively achieving the desired sedation level with minimal adverse events, primarily manageable hemodynamic changes. Onset and recovery times were generally acceptable for clinical practice, and the flexibility in administration routes and dosing highlighted its adaptability to various clinical needs and settings. Overall, dexmedetomidine is a reliable and safe sedative for pediatric patients undergoing MRI and CT scans, offering a balanced profile of efficacy and safety, and its use can be optimized based on clinical context, patient characteristics, and procedural requirements.

Cost-Benefit Analysis of a Pediatric ICU Sedation Weaning Protocol.

A risk stratified sedation weaning protocol improved patient outcomes in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). We sought to determine the protocol effect on medication costs. This was a retrospective observational cohort study in an academic tertiary care children's hospital PICU (2018-2020) comparing the cost when weaning benzodiazepine, alpha agonist, and/or opioid infusions in intubated children <18 years of age. There were 84 total sedation weaning instances (pre-protocol n = 41 and post-protocol n = 41); 2 patients had 2 encounters, 1 in each phase. The total cost (in 2022 United States Dollars) of sedation weaning was $400,328.87 ($15,994.44/kg) pre-protocol compared with $170,458.85 ($11,227.52/kg) post-protocol. The median cost of sedation wean per patient for pre-protocol patients was $3197.42 (IQR: $322.66-$12,643.29) and post-protocol patients was $1851.44 (IQR: $425.05-$5355.85; p = 0.275). A linear regression model estimated the expected cost of sedation wean for post-protocol patients to be $5173.20 lower than for pre-protocol patients of the same weight and overall drug risk (p = 0.036). The proportion of withdrawal symptoms in the pre-protocol patients (16%) was not significantly different from the proportion in the post-protocol patients (14%; p = 0.435). Implementation of a PICU sedation weaning protocol in a single-center conferred cost benefit without negatively impacting patient outcomes. A larger multicenter study would provide insight to the applicability to PICUs in varied settings with differing patient populations.

Safer Pediatric Sedations: Simulation Checklists to Improve Knowledge, Attitudes, and Skills in Emergency Medicine Residents.

Background Pediatric sedation is a low-frequency, high-stakes procedure. This study aimed to train emergency medicine (EM) residents in pediatric procedural sedation through a sedation checklist, enhancing patient safety. Methods EM residents completed a pre-test and a survey on their knowledge and experiences with sedation protocols. Residents were subdivided into four groups: two control groups underwent a pediatric sedation simulation without the aid of a procedural checklist, while two intervention groups were given the procedural checklist to guide their management of the procedure. Following the simulations, a simulation faculty member reviewed sedation management and safety with residents for all groups and answered questions. An improvement analysis was performed via a post-intervention examination among all residents. Results Residents in the intervention group demonstrated an improvement in obtaining more critical actions during the simulation (intervention group critical actions 14, 13 vs non-intervention critical actions 10, 12) and confidence with the procedure (via a Likert scale survey across multiple arenas of pediatric sedation), with only moderately increased scores on the post-test examination (pre-simulation score of 6.28±2.14; post-simulation score of 6.75±1.88). Conclusion The data suggest that a checklist, combined with dedicated training through simulation, improves knowledge, confidence, and skill with regard to pediatric sedations. Further study is required to examine the longitudinal impact of our program on resident performance and patient outcomes.

A Comparison of the Use of Propofol versus Midazolam for Pediatric Magnetic Resonance Imaging Sedation: Retrospective Cohort Study.

The aim of the present study was to do a comparison of the recovery profiles and airway-related adverse events of pediatric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sedation patients who received propofol alone to those who received midazolam alone. This retrospective cohort study was approved by the Mutah University Ethical Approval Committee (No. 2378). A search of the patients' medical records was performed between September 2021 and April 2022 to identify children aged 4 months-11 years who received propofol or midazolam for MRI sedation. The patients were subdivided into two groups: Those who had propofol alone (propofol group) and those who received midazolam (midazolam group) for pediatric MRI sedation. In propofol group, a 1-2 mg/kg of propofol bolus was given to have a deep sedation (Ramsay Sedation Scale score of 5). Patients in midazolam group received 0.05 mg/kg of midazolam. During the maintenance state of sedation, the patient received 150 µg/kg/min of propofol, and the infusion rate was adjusted in 25 μg/kg/min increments up or down at the discretion of the anesthesiologists to maintain a state of deep sedation. The major targets of this study were recovery profiles (time to awake and time to discharge) and airway-related intervention ratios in pediatric MRI sedation patients. Patient demographics, MRI sedation, and recovery data, including propofol induction dose, airway intervention, and sedation-related adverse events from the pediatric sedation recovery unit were also collected. The mean (standard deviation [SD]) propofol induction dose was higher compared to midazolam group (2.4 [0.7] mg vs. 1.3 [0.5] mg; mean difference, 1.1 mg; P < 0.001). The mean (SD) infusion rate was higher in propofol group compared to midazolam group (161.3 [37.6] μg/min/kg vs. 116.2 [25.6] μg/min/kg; mean difference 45.1 μg/min/kg; P < 0.001). The mean (SD) propofol total dose was higher in propofol group compared to midazolam group (236.3 [102.4] mg vs. 180.7 [80.9] mg; mean difference, 155.4 mg; P < 0.001). The mean (SD) time to awake was longer in midazolam group compared to propofol group (21.2 [5.6] min vs. 23.0 [7.1] min; mean difference, 1.8 min; P < 0.001). The mean (SD) time to discharge was longer in midazolam group compared to propofol group (34.5 [6.9] min vs. 38.6 [9.4] min; mean difference, 4.1 min; 95% confidence interval, 3.0-5.1; P < 0.001). The administration of midazolam during pediatric MRI sedation can decrease the frequency of airway complications without prolonging the clinically significant recovery profile.

Safety and efficacy of a novel dexmedetomidine nasal spray for pre-anesthetic sedation in children: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

BackgroundOff-label intranasal administration of injectable dexmedetomidine has been widely applied in the pediatric sedation setting. However, the development of an improved drug delivery system that is easy to use is needed. We developed a novel dexmedetomidine nasal spray that can be administered directly without dilution or configuration for pediatric pre-anesthetic sedation. This nasal spray has a fixed dose and is stable during storage. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first licensed nasal spray preparation of dexmedetomidine worldwide.ObjectiveTo evaluate the pre-anesthetic sedation efficacy and safety of the novel dexmedetomidine nasal spray in children.MethodsThe study was conducted at 11 sites in China between 24 November 2021 and 20 May 2022 and was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05111431, first registration date: 20/10/2021). Subjects (n = 159) between 2 and 6 years old who were to undergo elective surgery were randomized to the dexmedetomidine group (n = 107) or the placebo group (n = 52) in a 2:1 ratio. The dosage was 30 µg or 50 µg based on the stratified body weight. The primary outcome measure was the proportion of subjects who achieved the desired child-parent separation and Ramsay scale ≥ 3 within 45 min of administration. Safety was monitored via the assessments of adverse events, blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate and blood oxygen saturation.ResultsThe proportion of subjects achieving desired parental separation and Ramsay scale ≥ 3 within 45 min was significantly higher in the dexmedetomidine group (94.4%) vs the placebo group (32.0%) (P < 0.0001). As compared with placebo, dexmedetomidine treatment led to more subjects achieving Ramsay scale ≥ 3 or UMSS ≥ 2, and shorter time to reach desired parental separation, Ramsay scale ≥ 3 and UMSS ≥ 2 (all P < 0.0001). Adverse events were reported in 90.7% and 84.0% of subjects in the dexmedetomidine and placebo groups, respectively, and all the events were mild or moderate in severity.ConclusionsThis novel dexmedetomidine nasal spray presented effective pre-anesthetic sedation in children with a tolerable safety profile.

Efficacy and safety of rectal chloral hydrate for pediatric procedural sedation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of rectal chloral hydrate (CH) in pediatric procedural sedation. Seven electronic databases and 3 clinical trials registry platforms were searched, and the deadline was August 2022. Randomized controlled trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of rectal CH in pediatric procedural sedation were included by 2 reviewers. The extracted outcomes included the success rate of sedation, sedation latency, sedation duration, and adverse events. The Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to assess the risk of bias. The outcomes were analyzed using Review Manager 5.3 software. Forty-four randomized controlled trials with 8007 children were included in the meta-analysis. The success rate of sedation in the rectal CH group was significantly higher than that in the placebo group (risk ratio [RR], 2.60 [95% confidence interval [CI], 1.74-3.89]; P < .01; RR, 1.24 [95% CI, 1.01-1.54]; P = .04), oral CH group (RR, 1.12 [95% CI, 1.09-1.14]; I2 = 36%; P < .001; number needed to treat [NNT] = 10), diazepam group (RR, 1.21 [95% CI, 1.10-1.33]; I2 = 0%; P < .001; NNT = 6), phenobarbital group (RR, 1.24 [95% CI, 1.13-1.35]; I2 = 12%; P < .001; NNT = 6), and ketamine group (RR, 1.39 [95% CI, 1.20-1.60]; I2 = 20%; P < .001; NNT = 5). There was no significant difference in the success rate of sedation between the rectal CH group and the midazolam group (RR, 0.98 [95% CI, 0.86-1.11]; I2 = 51%; P > .05). The sedation latency was significantly shorter in rectal CH group than that in the oral CH group (mean difference [MD], -6.36 [95% CI, -7.04 to -5.68]; I2 = 49%; P < .001) and the phenobarbital group (MD, -7.64 [95% CI, -9.12 to -6.16]; P < .00001). The sedation duration in the rectal CH group was significantly longer than in the oral CH group (MD, 6.43 [95% CI, 4.39-8.47]; I2 = 0%; P < .001). The overall incidence of adverse events was significantly lower with rectal CH than with oral CH (RR, 0.21 [95% CI, 0.16-0.29]; I2 = 45%; P < .001) and ketamine (RR, 0.26 [95% CI, 0.12-0.60]; I2 = 0%; P = .001). There was no significant difference in the overall incidence of adverse events with rectal CH compared with intramuscular midazolam (RR, 0.55 [95% CI, 0.23-1.28]; P = .17) and intranasal midazolam (RR, 3.00 [95% CI, 0.66-13.69]; P = .16). The available evidence suggests that rectal CH cloud be an effective and safe sedative agent for pediatric procedural sedation.

Pediatric Sedation Assessment and Management System (PSAMS) for Pediatric Sedation in China: Development and Implementation Report.

Recently, the growing demand for pediatric sedation services outside the operating room has imposed a heavy burden on pediatric centers in China. There is an urgent need to develop a novel system for improved sedation services. This study aimed to develop and implement a computerized system, the Pediatric Sedation Assessment and Management System (PSAMS), to streamline pediatric sedation services at a major children's hospital in Southwest China. PSAMS was designed to reflect the actual workflow of pediatric sedation. It consists of 3 main components: server-hosted software; client applications on tablets and computers; and specialized devices like gun-type scanners, desktop label printers, and pulse oximeters. With the participation of a multidisciplinary team, PSAMS was developed and refined during its application in the sedation process. This study analyzed data from the first 2 years after the system's deployment. From January 2020 to December 2021, a total of 127,325 sedations were performed on 85,281 patients using the PSAMS database. Besides basic variables imported from Hospital Information Systems (HIS), the PSAMS database currently contains 33 additional variables that capture comprehensive information from presedation assessment to postprocedural recovery. The recorded data from PSAMS indicates a one-time sedation success rate of 97.1% (50,752/52,282) in 2020 and 97.5% (73,184/75,043) in 2021. The observed adverse events rate was 3.5% (95% CI 3.4%-3.7%) in 2020 and 2.8% (95% CI 2.7%-2.9%) in 2021. PSAMS streamlined the entire sedation workflow, reduced the burden of data collection, and laid a foundation for future cooperation of multiple pediatric health care centers.

Procedural sedation and analgesia in Swiss Pediatric Emergency Departments: a national subgroup analysis of a European cross-sectional survey

This study aims to provide a national overview of procedural sedation and analgesia practices within Pediatric Emergency Departments in Switzerland, focusing on the availability of pharmacologic agents, the presence of safety protocols, the utilization of non-pharmacological interventions, and to identify specific local limitations. We conducted a detailed subgroup analysis of Swiss data from a European cross-sectional survey on emergency department pediatric Procedural Sedation and Analgesia (PSA) practice, isolating data from Swiss sites. The survey, conducted between November 2019 and March 2020, covered various aspects of procedural sedation and analgesia practices. The survey included nine Swiss sites, treating a total of 252,786 patients in 2019. Topical analgesia, inhaled equimolar nitrous oxide-oxygen mixture, and ketamine were largely available. All sites had nurse-directed triage protocols in place; however, opioid administration was included in the protocols in only 66% of sites. Only 33% of hospitals reported common use of intravenous sedation. Barriers to procedural sedation and analgesia implementation included staffing shortages (89% of sites) and lack of dedicated spaces (78%).Conclusions: Despite a broad array of pharmacological and options available in Swiss Pediatric Emergency Departments, challenges remain in standardizing practices across the country. Limited space and staffing and enhancing training on non-pharmacological interventions were identified as potential areas for improving pain and anxiety management in pediatric emergency care. This study underscores the need for national guidelines to harmonize emergency department PSA practices across Switzerland, ensuring all children have access to effective and evidence-based procedural comfort.What is Known:• Recent research, conducted in European emergency departments, suggests that in pediatric Procedural Sedation and Analgesia (PSA) resources are limited, and practice is heterogeneousWhat is New:• Swiss pediatric hospitals offer a wide range of pharmacological options for pain and anxiety management. However, significant barriers to PSA were identified. These include external control of intravenous sedation and insufficient integration of non-pharmacological interventions, such as child life specialists and procedural hypnosis. National guidelines are needed to harmonize PSA practices

Effective and safe pediatric sedation.

Pediatric sedation is a crucial tool for minimizing pain and anxiety during procedures and examinations in children. However, it is not without risks. This review provides a comprehensive review of pediatric sedation, including both established practices and recent advancements. A thorough pre-procedural evaluation is crucial to mitigate these risks. Skilled healthcare professionals trained in pediatric sedation are paramount to ensure a safe and effective procedure. The choice of sedative medication depends on various factors, such as the type of procedure and the patient's medical condition. Medications, used alone or in combination, offer sedation with varying onset times and durations. Non-pharmacological approaches can complement pharmacological sedation and further reduce potential complications. Preventing sedation-related complications requires a multidisciplinary approach. This includes collaborative decision-making, vigilant monitoring throughout the procedure, and a focus on patient safety. Recovery involves ensuring the child returns to their baseline status before discharge, following established criteria. In conclusion, successful pediatric sedation hinges on a comprehensive strategy. This strategy encompasses a thorough evaluation, skilled personnel, appropriate medication selection, vigilant monitoring, and a focus on patient safety throughout the process. By following these steps, we can minimize risks and achieve successful outcomes.

Effectiveness of buccal administration of dexmedetomidine and ketamine combination in paediatric dental sedation: A randomized controlled clinical trial.

Pain and anxiety can be considerable obstacles while treating paediatric dental patients. Moderate sedation is needed to treat uncooperative patients. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of buccal administration of dexmedetomidine-ketamine combination versus dexmedetomidine. Fifty-six uncooperative children were randomly assigned into two groups: Group I received buccal dexmedetomidine (2 μg/kg) and ketamine (2 mg/kg) (DEX-KET), whereas Group II received buccal dexmedetomidine (4 μg/kg) (DEX). The effects of drugs were evaluated based on changes in vital signs, onset and duration of sedation, sedation level, analgesia, ease of treatment and procedural adverse effects. There were no significant differences in vital signs or sedation onset between the two groups. DEX-KET group showed shorter recovery time than DEX group (p < .0001). There were no statistically significant differences between both groups regarding sedation level at optimum sedation and during operative procedure (p = .064, p = .069 respectively). The ease of treatment was significantly better in DEX-KET group than in DEX group (p = .048). Procedural side effects and analgesic effects of the sedative drugs were comparable between both groups. The combination of dexmedetomidine and ketamine delivered buccally provided a better method of delivering care to uncooperative children with more rapid recovery than dexmedetomidine.

Risk factors for chloral hydrate sedation failure in pediatric patients: a retrospective analysis.

This study aimed to investigate the risk factors for chloral hydrate sedation failure and complications in a tertiary children's hospital in South Korea. A retrospective analysis of pediatric procedural sedation with chloral hydrate between January 1, 2021, and March 30, 2022, was performed. The collected data included patient characteristics, sedation history, and procedure. Multivariable regression analysis was performed to identify the risk factors for procedural sedation failure and complications. A total of 6,691 procedural sedation were included in the analysis; sedation failure following chloral hydrate (50 mg/kg) occurred in 1,457 patients (21.8%) and was associated with a higher rate of overall complications compared to those with successful sedation (17.5% [225/1457] vs. 6.2% [322/5234]; P < 0.001, odds ratio: 3.236). In the multivariable regression analysis, the following factors were associated with increased risk of sedation failure: general ward or intensive care unit inpatient (compared with outpatient); congenital syndrome; oxygen dependency; history of sedation failure or complications with chloral hydrate; procedure more than 60 min; and magnetic resonance imaging, radiotherapy, or procedures with painful or intense stimuli (all P values < 0.05). Factors contributing to the complications included general ward inpatient, congenital syndromes, congenital heart disease, preterm birth, oxygen dependency, history of complications with chloral hydrate, and current sedation failure with chloral hydrate (all P values < 0.05). To achieve successful sedation with chloral hydrate, the patient's sedation history, risk factors, and the type and duration of the procedure should be considered.

Safety and Depth of Sedation With Ketamine Alone Versus Ketamine With Midazolam in Pediatric Fracture Reduction: A Retrospective Chart Review.

Pediatric patients with extremity fractures often require sedation for fracture reduction in the pediatric emergency department (PED). Although orthopedic literature suggests combination sedation regimens may be more effective for fracture reduction, some pediatric literature suggests adverse events are more frequent. The primary objective of this study is to determine the comparable depth of sedation and incidence of adverse events when intravenous ketamine is used alone versus with midazolam for pediatric procedural sedation and orthopedic fracture reduction. This is a retrospective cohort study of pediatric patients 2-18 years old who underwent sedation for fracture reduction in the PED at a single level 1 trauma center over a 2-year period. Medical records were reviewed, and occurrence of adverse events, depth of sedation (Ramsey score), midazolam dose, total ketamine administration, opiate administration, total sedation time, and time to PED discharge were compared in patients who received ketamine alone versus those who received ketamine with midazolam. Logistic regression models were adjusted to evaluate for potential confounders. There was a statistically significant increase in the occurrence of hypoxia with coadministration of midazolam (5% vs 0%). When hypoxia occurred, it was mild and resolved with repositioning or administration of supplemental oxygen. Length of sedation was increased in sedations with coadministration of benzodiazepines by approximately 3.5 minutes. Time to PED discharge was not significantly different. There was no significant difference in depth of sedation, ketamine dose administered, end-tidal CO2 measurements, administration of positive pressure ventilation, vomiting, agitation, or overall occurrence of adverse events. No patients developed apnea or laryngospasm. This study showed a low rate of adverse events in pediatric sedation for orthopedic reduction with ketamine alone or ketamine with midazolam. There was an increased occurrence of hypoxia with coadministration of midazolam and an increase in the length of sedation. This study showed no difference in depth of sedation based on Ramsay scores when midazolam was coadministered. Information on the orthopedic reduction and provider satisfaction was not collected.

Evaluating the Quality of Systematic Reviews on Pediatric Sedation in Dentistry: An Umbrella Review.

Sedation is a depression of a patient's state of consciousness, induced by medications, that can reach different levels of intensity during a medical procedure. Conscious sedation produces a minimally depressed level of consciousness without impairment of the ability to maintain an open airway, of protective reflexes or of responses to verbal and physical stimulation. This umbrella review is aimed at critically assessing the available systematic reviews (SRs) and meta-analyses (MA) on sedation in children/adolescents. An electronic database search was conducted that included Pubmed-Medline, Web of Science, Cochrane, Scopus, Scielo, Embase, LILACS and TRIP and the scope of which extended until January 2023. The risk of bias (RoB) of SRs was analyzed using the Measurement Tool to Assess SRs criteria 2 (AMSTAR2). Of 998 entries, 37 SRs were included. In terms of methodological quality, eight studies were assessed as having critically low quality, four studies had low quality, nine studies had moderate quality, and sixteen were considered to be of high quality. Based on the current guidelines, the most employed drugs in pediatric dentistry for sedation are nitrous oxide and midazolam; however, the available evidence supporting their use is insufficient and of low/critically low quality. The combined technique is recommended (nitrous oxide (30-50%) + midazolam). The optimal dose of oral midazolam is 0.75 mg/kg. The level of methodological quality of SRs is expected to increase according to the results and future directions of this umbrella review.