title: The safety and efficacy of chloral hydrate sedation for pediatric ophthalmic procedures: a retrospective review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the safety and efficacy of high-dose oral chloral hydrate for pediatric ophthalmic procedures.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study is a retrospective review of a quality audit of pediatric sedation for ophthalmic evaluation and imaging performed at King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital between January 1 and December 31, 2011, in children aged 1 month to 6 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three hundred fifty-eight of 380 (94.2%) sedation procedures were successful after a single dose of chloral hydrate, with 356 of 380 (93.7%) children sedated within 45 minutes of the first dose. The total success rate of the sedation procedure increased to 97.9% (372 of 380) when a second dose was administered. Children adequately sedated after a single dose of chloral hydrate were on average younger and weighed less than children who required additional doses. No major adverse events were documented.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of chloral hydrate sedation for ophthalmic evaluation and imaging was safe and effective in this patient population with a high rate of procedure completion.
authors.forename: Michelle E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Mohammed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Karaoui
authors.forename: Leyla
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Al Djasim
authors.forename: Deepak P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Edward
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Al Shamrani
authors.forename: David S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Friedman
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002697:Chloral Hydrate / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D016292:Procedural Sedation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D002697:Chloral Hydrate