A survey of post-discharge side effects of conscious sedation using chloral hydrate in pediatric CT and MR imaging.
BACKGROUND
Limited information is available on post-discharge side effects of chloral hydrate sedation in pediatric imaging.


OBJECTIVE
To prospectively study the post-discharge side effects of chloral hydrate sedation in pediatric CT and MR imaging.


METHODS
A total of 119 children undergoing CT and MRI were sedated using chloral hydrate with 89 % success (mean initial dose, 72 mg/kg body weight) and 98 % success after augmentation (mean total, 78 mg/kg body weight). The frequency of each post-discharge side effect was correlated with other side effects and 12 patient/technical parameters.


RESULTS
The survey was completed in 80 children. Sleepiness lasted for > 4 h in 28 %. Unsteadiness occurred in 68 % and hyperactivity in 29 %. Appetite became poor in 14 % and vomiting occurred in 15 %. Normal activity was resumed after > 4 h in 54 %. Sleep deprivation did not result in increased success or earlier onset of sedation and might be associated with hyperactivity. A higher dose did not result in an increased success rate or earlier onset of sedation within the dose range used in this study.


CONCLUSIONS
Data on the post-discharge side effects of chloral hydrate sedation will be useful to radiologists, technologists, and nurses explaining to parents about sedation using this agent.
Kao
S C
SC
Department of Radiology, 3894 JPP, The University of Iowa College of Medicine, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
Adamson
S D
SD
Tatman
L H
LH
Berbaum
K S
KS
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002697:Chloral Hydrate / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016292:Procedural Sedation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007223:Infant; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D010351:Patient Discharge; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D002697:Chloral Hydrate