title: Myotonic and neuromuscular blocking effects of increased doses of suxamethonium in infants and children.
abstract: The myotonic effects and duration of action of several doses of suxamethonium were determined in 24 infants and 16 children during thiopentone-fentanyl-nitrous oxide anaesthesia. Infants received suxamethonium 2, 3 or 4 mg kg-1; children received 1 or 2 mg kg-1. The increase in muscle tone during onset of neuromuscular block was independent of dose. Onset of block was faster in children who received suxamethonium 2 mg kg-1 compared with those who received 1 mg kg-1, and in infants given 2 mg kg-1 than in children given the same dose. Compared with adults given suxamethonium 1 mg kg-1, infants required 3-4 mg kg-1 and children at least 2 mg kg-1 to produce 6-8 min of neuromuscular block. These results provide a clear indication for increasing the intubating doses of suxamethonium in infants and children, and a explanation for the unduly high rate of "masseter spasm" in some paediatric centres.
authors: Department of Anaesthesia, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Pendlebury.
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Meakin
authors: R W
authors: RW
authors: Walker
authors: O R
authors: OR
authors: Dearlove
mesh_terms: D000768:Anesthesia, General; D001285:Atropine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D013390:Succinylcholine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D001285:Atropine; D013390:Succinylcholine