title: A comparison of the induction characteristics of sevoflurane and halothane in children.
abstract: The induction characteristics of sevoflurane and halothane were compared in 81 children aged 6 months to 6 years. The mean time taken to achieve loss of eyelash reflex was significantly shorter with sevoflurane than with halothane (sevoflurane, mean time (SD) 1 min 41 s (35 s), halothane, mean time (SD) 2 min 17 s (43 s), t = 4.11, p = < 0.01). The mean time taken to complete induction (to achieve steady spontaneous ventilation and small pupils with central gaze) was also shorter in children induced with sevoflurane (sevoflurane, mean time (SD) 3 min 58 s (1 min 8 s), halothane, mean time (SD) 4 min 50 s, (1 min 27 s), t = 2.29, p = 0.027). Effects on heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen saturation during induction were similar for both agents. There were no major complications during induction with either halothane or sevoflurane.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, London.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Black
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Sury
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hemington
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Howard
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mackersie
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Hatch
mesh_terms: D000769:Anesthesia, Inhalation / Q000379:methods; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003243:Consciousness / Q000187:drug effects; D004987:Ethers; D005260:Female; D006221:Halothane; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008738:Methyl Ethers; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D000077149:Sevoflurane; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D004987:Ethers; D008738:Methyl Ethers; D000077149:Sevoflurane; D010100:Oxygen; D006221:Halothane