ABSTRACT
Dexmedetomidine is a sedative with limited experience in the pediatric population. This prospective, randomized, double-blind study was designed to compare the safety and efficacy of dexmedetomidine and midazolam to sedate children undergoing magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] 40 children aged 4-10 years with American Society of Anaesthesiologist physical status I and II scheduled for elective MRI were selected for this study. Patients were randomly allocated to one of the two groups. Group D [Dexmedetomidine]: Received IV dexmedetomidine 1 micro g/kg over 10 min followed by continuous infusion of dexmedetomidine 0.5 micro g /kg/hr. Group M [Midazolam]: Received IV midazolam 0.1 mg/kg followed by continuous infusion of midazolam 0.1mg/kg/hr. Presedation behavior was assessed on a 4-point scale, by a person who did not know which drug would be administered. Baseline HR, MAP and oxygen saturation [Spo[2]] were measured before any drug administration then every 10 min. The MRI study is initiated as soon as the desired level of sedation has been achieved. Presedation behavior score, and the duration, type, and quality of MRI procedure were not statistically different between the groups. The duration of drug infusion was not different between groups [P=0.236]. There was highly significant increase in sedation onset in group D [P<0.001]. The recovery time was significantly shorter in group D [25.60 +/- 3.71] in comparison to group M [31.20 +/- 2.28] [p=0.0210]. The discharge time was insignificantly shorter in the group D [43.60 +/- 5.41] in comparison to group M [49.10 +/- 3.47] [p=0.236]. MBP and HR were only statistically significantly decreased after sedation in both groups with out clinically significant effect on patient's haemodynamics. Dexmedetomidine provided adequate sedation in most of the children aged 3-10 yr without clinically significant haemodynamic or respiratory effects during MRI procedures