J Korean Radiol Soc.  1994 Aug;31(2):358-362.

Sedation of Children for MR or CT Imaging Examination Using Chloral Hydrate

• Kim WS
• Han MC
• Kim IO
• Yeon KM
• Song JG

Abstract

PURPOSE
Pediatric sedation is an important factor for obtaining the images of good quality. We performed this study to analyze the efficacy of our sedation protocol using chloral hydrate.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We collected prospectively 151 sedation records of children(1 day-15 years old), who were sedated with chloral hydrate for MR(n=112) or CT(n=39) studies. We initially administered 50mg/Kg orally(n=94) or rectally(n=57) 30 minutes before the scheduled examinations, and then administered additionali dose (second dose :25-35mg/Kg, third dose:10-15mg/Kg) to patients whom initial dose failed to sedate.
RESULTS
Satisfactory sedation was achieved by initial administration in 109 patients(72%) without si difference between oral(per oral: P.O.) and rectal(per rectal: P.R.) administration. Second dose was required in 28% and third dose in 5%. MR and CT examinations required second dose in 36(32%) and 6 patients(15%), respectively. P.O. -patients vomited in 5%. P.R. -patients defecated in 22% after initial administration. There were no other serious complications. Time interval from the drug administration to the start of examinations was 33 minutes in initial-dose-group and 64 minutes in additional-dose-group. Two patients could not complete MR examination due to early arousal. Prolonged sedation, requiring more than 30 minutes for alertness after MR and CT examinations, was encountered in twenty(18%) and two patients(5%), respectively.
CONCLUSION
Our protocol using chloral hydrate(P.O. or P.R.) is thought to be an effective and safe method for pediatric sedation for MR or CT imaging.

MeSH Terms

Arousal
Child*
Chloral Hydrate*
Humans
Prospective Studies
Chloral Hydrate