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Chloral hydrate sedation in radiology: retrospective audit of reduced dose

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Abstract

Background

Chloral hydrate (CH) is safe and effective for sedation of suitable children.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to assess whether adequate sedation is achieved with reduced CH doses.

Materials and methods

We retrospectively recorded outpatient CH sedations over 1 year. We defined standard doses of CH as 50 mg/kg (infants) and 75 mg/kg (children >1 year). A reduced dose was defined as at least 20% lower than the standard dose.

Results

In total, 653 children received CH sedation (age, 1 month–3 years 10 months), 42% were given a reduced initial dose. Augmentation dose was required in 10.9% of all children, and in a higher proportion of children >1 year (15.7%) compared to infants (5.7%; P < 0.001). Sedation was successful in 96.7%, and more frequently successful in infants (98.3%) than children >1 year (95.3%; P = 0.03). A reduced initial dose had no negative effect on outcome (P = 0.19) or time to sedation. No significant complications were seen.

Conclusion

We advocate sedation with reduced CH doses (40 mg/kg for infants; 60 mg/kg for children >1 year of age) for outpatient imaging procedures when the child is judged to be quiet or sleepy on arrival.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge the role of the radiology nurses who are principally responsible for the success of sedation in our department.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Radiology Department, Children’s University Hospital, Temple Street, Dublin, Ireland

    Jennifer Bracken, Ingrid Heaslip & Stephanie Ryan

  2. Department of Medical Imaging, Royal Children’s Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia

    Jennifer Bracken

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  1. Jennifer Bracken
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  2. Ingrid Heaslip
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  3. Stephanie Ryan
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jennifer Bracken.

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Bracken, J., Heaslip, I. & Ryan, S. Chloral hydrate sedation in radiology: retrospective audit of reduced dose. Pediatr Radiol 42, 349–354 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-011-2279-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-011-2279-9

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