Use of intravenous midazolam for sedation in children undergoing ward procedures.

Abstract

Midazolam is a water-soluble benzodiazepine with low toxicity. It has anxiolytic and sedative effects. This study assessed the efficacy and tolerance of this drug for sedation in various ward procedures. Pethidine was added to bone marrow aspirations for analgesia. 57 children with the mean age of 48 months and mean weight of 15.7 kilograms were studied. The dose of midazolam used to sedate adequately 86% of the children was 0.73mg/kg, the average onset of sedation was 4.3 minutes and mean duration was about 88 minutes. 47.5% were completely sedated, whereas 38.5% were only partially sedated. In 14%, sedation was not achieved at all. There was a statistically significant drop in blood pressure after sedation but this was not associated with any clinical effects. Hypoventilation was not detected in this study.