title: Chloral hydrate sedation for magnetic resonance imaging in newborn infants.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to look for clinically significant adverse effects of chloral hydrate used in a large cohort of infants sedated for magnetic resonance imaging.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case notes of infants who underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning from 2008 to 2010 were reviewed, with patient demographics, sedation dose, comorbidities, time to discharge, and side effects of sedation noted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four hundred and eleven infants (median [range] postmenstrual age per weight at scan 42 [31(+4) -60] weeks per 3500 g [1060-9900 g]) were sedated with chloral hydrate (median [range] dose 50 [20-80] mg·kg(-1)). In three cases (0.7%), desaturations occurred which prompted termination of the scan. One infant (0.2%) was admitted for additional observation following sedation but had no prolonged effects. In 17 (3.1%) cases, infants had desaturations which were self-limiting or responded to additional inspired oxygen such that scanning was allowed to continue.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When adhering to strict protocols, MRI scanning in newborn infants in this cohort was performed using chloral hydrate sedation with a relatively low risk of significant adverse effects.
authors.affiliation: Centre for the Developing Brain, Imperial College London and MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, London, UK.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Finnemore
authors.forename: Hilary
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Toulmin
authors.forename: Naz
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Merchant
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Arichi
authors.forename: Nora
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tusor
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.forename: Ash
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ederies
authors.forename: Phumza
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nongena
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: Ryan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dias
authors.forename: Anthony D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: Alan M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Groves
mesh_terms: D001724:Birth Weight; D002697:Chloral Hydrate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D016292:Procedural Sedation / Q000379:methods*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D002697:Chloral Hydrate; D010100:Oxygen
keywords: adverse effects; chloral hydrate; infant, newborn; magnetic resonance imaging; patient monitoring; patient safety