title: [Comparison of the pharmacokinetics of etomidate in children and in adults].
abstract: Etomidate pharmacokinetics were compared in 12 children (P group) (age 7 to 13 years, weight 22 to 48 kg) and in 4 adult women (A group) (age 28 to 52 years, weight 46 to 72 kg), A.S.A. 1, undergoing minor non abdominal surgery. They were unpremedicated and anaesthetized with alfentanil 100 micrograms.kg-1, and isoflurane 2 vol % in N2O/O2 (1/1). Etomidate was administered as a bolus: 0.3 mg.kg-1 in adults and 0.4 mg.kg-1 in children. Venous plasma samples were frozen until further etomidate assay with a HPLC technique. In all patients but two children, data were fitted to a three rather than a two compartment model. Differences between groups (mean +/- SD values) included Vdc (P: 0.66 +/- 0.31 l.kg-1; A: 0.27 +/- 0.15 l.kg-1; p less than 0.01), t1/2 pi (P: 5.4 +/- 2.9 min; A: 2.7 +/- 5.7 min; p less than 0.05) and plasma clearance (P: 17.2 +/- 4.6 ml.kg-1.min-1; A: 10.9 +/- 3.3 ml.kg-1.min-1; p less than 0.05). No statistical difference was found between A and P groups for the following parameters: t1/2 alpha (37.1 +/- 12.0 min vs 26.8 + 15.1 min), t1/2 beta (260 +/- 99 min vs 175 +/- 99 min), Vdss (2.5 +/- 1.11.kg-1 vs 2.8 +/- 1.61.kg-1), Vd beta (4.1 +/- 2.41.kg-1 vs 4.0 +/- 2.21.kg-1), and MRT (228 +/- 80 min vs 172 +/- 101 min). No age-related difference was found inside P group with regard to pharmacokinetic parameters. In conclusion, a 30% higher etomidate bolus dosage is required in children than in adults to achieve similar plasma concentrations, due to a higher volume of the initial compartment. In comparison to adults the higher clearance suggests higher maintenance dose requirements in children.
authors.affiliation: Département d'Anesthésie-Réanimation, Hôpital Saint-Vincent de Paul, Paris.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sfez
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Le Mapihan
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Levron
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Gaillard
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Rosemblatt
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Le Moing
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000771:Anesthesia, Intravenous; D002648:Child; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D005045:Etomidate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008657:Metabolic Clearance Rate; D008875:Middle Aged; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D005045:Etomidate
vernacular_title: Comparaison de la pharmacocinétique de l'étomidate chez l'enfant et chez l'adulte.