Comparison of the efficacy of oral midazolam alone versus midazolam and meperidine in the pediatric dental patient.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to compare midazolam alone (Group A: 1 mg/kg) vs midazolam plus meperidine (Group B: 0.5 and 1 mg/kg, respectively) in regard to physiology and behavior of young children sedated for dental restorative care.


METHODS
Twenty healthy children who met selection criteria were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups and subsequently treated in a prospective, crossover design. All sedative agents were administered orally, and all sedations included 50% nitrous oxide administered via a nasal hood. Heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and behavior were recorded at 8 procedural or time periods during the visits. Chi-square and ANOVA were used to analyze the data.


RESULTS
No difference in physiology or behavior was found between groups. However, higher heart rates and disruptive behaviors occurred more frequently during or after local anesthesia administration.


CONCLUSIONS
Oral midazolam alone is just as effective as midazolam with meperidine. Disruptive behaviors accounted for increased heart rates.
Musial
Kimberly M
KM
United States Air Force, Lakenheath, England.
Wilson
Stephen
S
Preisch
James
J
Weaver
Joel
J
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003448:Crying; D016854:Dental Anxiety / Q000517:prevention & control; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008614:Meperidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008874:Midazolam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009068:Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D009609:Nitrous Oxide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011446:Prospective Studies
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D008614:Meperidine; D009609:Nitrous Oxide; D008874:Midazolam