Pre-induction behaviour of children. A review of placebo-controlled trials of sedatives.
Placebo-controlled trials of sedative premedication in children are reviewed in an attempt to determine which drugs have been shown to reduce the frequency with which children cry or appear apprehensive. Small samples and inappropriate statistical methods limit the value of many of the studies. Most of the drugs tested will, in sufficient dose, increase the proportion of children who are asleep. Only intramuscular opioid analgesics, either alone or in combination with other drugs, have been shown repeatedly to increase the frequency of calm behaviour in those who are awake. There is some evidence, however, that intramuscular placebo controls have a lower frequency of calm behavior than oral placebo controls.
Department of Anaesthetics, Norfolk and Norwich Hospital.
J O
JO
Morgan-Hughes
J A
JA
Bangham
D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D007223:Infant; D010919:Placebos; D011229:Preanesthetic Medication
D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D010919:Placebos