ED study of 60 pediatric patients for procedural sedation

Fentanyl 1 mcg/kg was followed by 0.1 to 0.2 mg/kg of etomidate IV.

One dose of 0.2 mg/kg IV etomidate was adequate for 39/60 patients

16.4% had respiratory depression

Desaturation occured in 23 patients

No patient required positive pressure ventilation

Average recovery in 21 minutes

Bottom line: Etomidate can achieve effective sedation in children for a short procedure. Although respiratory effects were noted, none of them required assisted ventilation.

References