Chloral hydrate versus midazolam as sedative agents for diagnostic procedures in children

To compare sedation outcomes for chloral hydrate [CH] and midazolam [MD] as sedative agents for diagnostic procedures in children. A prospective, randomized, double-blinded study conducted between July 2005 and October 2006, at the Pediatric Day Care Unit [DCU], King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. After meeting the inclusion criteria and getting informed consent, patients were randomized, given the study drug, and monitored for sedation outcomes. Two hundred and seventy-five patients who had 292 sedation sessions for diagnostic procedures were included in the study. Due to missing data, 286 sedations were included in the final analysis; 144 in the CH and 142 in the MD group. Both groups were comparable with respect to demographic and baseline characteristics. The CH compared to MD group, had a higher sedation success rate, shorter time to achieve sedation, shorter length of stay in DCU, and longer sedation duration. In both study groups, patients who required a second dose tended to be older and heavier. No major side effects were encountered. The CH group had a significantly higher mean sedation scores at 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes. Chloral hydrate compared to MD, had a shorter time to achieve sedation, a higher success rate, less need for a second dose, and decreased the time spent in the DCU. Older and heavier patients are more likely to require a second dose of the study drug to be sedated

Recurrent visits and admissions of children with asthma in central Saudi Arabia

To identify the pediatric age group and most affected gender by asthma, and to determine the significant predictors of severity of asthma, and assess the appropriateness of asthma medication administration. This cross-sectional study was carried out at Emergency Department [ED] of children's hospital at King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from January to March 2009. Interviews were carried out with the parents of 185 children, who presented to the hospital with asthma exacerbation more than once over the last 6 months, to collect data of possible risk factors, and appropriateness of medication administration technique. Most patients were males 71.9%, aged 1-6 years [58.9%], and 8.1% of them presented to the ED because of asthma exacerbation more than once over the last 6 months. Approximately two-thirds [65.9%] of the parents explained the way of meter dose inhaler administration correctly. Infants were significantly the least affected group [p=0.02]. Severity was significantly higher among appropriate users of medications [p=0.046]. Appropriateness of medications administration was significantly associated with severity. However, this may not be considered a valid predictor of severity, as parents of children with recurrent attacks may have a better chance of being taught how to use medications