title: Dose-response curves for suxamethonium in neonates, infants and children.
abstract: Single dose-response curves were determined for suxamethonium in neonates, infants and children during thiopentone-fentanyl-nitrous oxide anaesthesia. During onset of neuromuscular block, suxamethonium produced an increase in muscle tone which was greatest in neonates and infants. The dose-response curves for the three groups were parallel. The effective doses producing 90% depression of twitch height were significantly greater in neonates and infants compared with children (517 and 608 v. 352 micrograms kg-1). These values were greater than those obtained in a comparable study in adults. In view of their higher ED values compared with adults and a marked individual variability in response to small doses of suxamethonium, we recommend an intubating dose of 3 mg kg-1 for neonates and infants and 2 mg kg-1 for children. These doses are 50-100% greater than those previously recommended for paediatric patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Pendlebury.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Meakin
authors.forename: E P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: McKiernan
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Baker
mesh_terms: D000758:Anesthesia; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005283:Fentanyl; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000187:drug effects; D009609:Nitrous Oxide; D013390:Succinylcholine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013874:Thiopental
chemical_list: D013390:Succinylcholine; D013874:Thiopental; D009609:Nitrous Oxide; D005283:Fentanyl