Intramuscular midazolam for pediatric sedation in the emergency department: a short communication on clinical safety and effectiveness.
BACKGROUND
Procedural sedation in children continues to be a problem in the emergency department (ED). Midazolam is the first water-soluble benzodiazepine and it has been widely used for procedural sedation in pediatric patients.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was evaluation of clinical safety and effectiveness of intramuscular Midazolam for pediatric sedation in the ED setting.


METHODS
We performed a self-controlled clinical trial on 30 children who referred to the Baqiyatallah Hospital ED between 2009 and 2010. They received intramuscular Midazolam 0.3 mg/kg for procedural sedation and then they were followed for sedative effectiveness and safety. Vital signs and O2 saturation were also observed. The findings were compared using SPSS ver. 16 software.


RESULTS
The mean age was 5.50 ± 2.70 years, the mean weight was 19.50 ± 6.63 kilograms and 16 patients (53.3%) were females. The most common adverse effect was euphoria (66.66%) and vertigo (6.7%); 27.7% did not show any side effects. There was an overall complication rate of 72.3%. The vital signs including heart rate, respiratory rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and O2 saturation decreased significantly during sedation (P value < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Midazolam is an effective and relatively safe sedative for pediatric patients in the ED. The patient should be observed closely and monitored for psychological and hemodynamic side effects.
Trauma Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
Mohammad Reza
MR
Ghane
Trauma Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
Seyed Yasin
SY
Musavi Vaezi
Pediatric Department, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
Amir Abbas
AA
Hedayati Asl
Trauma Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
Hamid Reza
HR
Javadzadeh
Trauma Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
Sadrollah
S
Mahmoudi
Chemical Injury Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
Amin
A
Saburi
Euphoria; Injections; Intramuscular; Midazolam; Safety; Sedation