Intranasal dexmedetomidine vs oral triclofos sodium for sedation of children with autism undergoing electroencephalograms.

BACKGROUND: Sedation may be necessary for performing electroencephalograms in children with autistic spectrum disorder, however, our sedation success rate using triclofos sodium (TFS) is limited. Intra-nasal dexmedetomidine (IN-DEX) may be a superior sedative for these children. OBJECTIVE: Compare IN-DEX with TFS for sedation efficacy, resistance to drug delivery and adverse events in children with autism undergoing an electroencephalogram. STUDY DESIGN: A single center, prospective observational study of children with autism sedated for electroencephalograms using IN-DEX compared to an age matched, historic group of children with autism, sedated for electroencephalograms using TFS. RESULTS: Characteristics of 41 IN-DEX sedations were compared to 41 TFS sedations in 82 ASD children. Epileptiform discharges were demonstrated in 23/82 (28%) of children in the cohort. Sedation depth by UMSS was significantly deeper in the IN-DEX group (2.49 ± 0.78 vs. 1.41 ± 0.89, p < 0.001). Electroencephalogram quality demonstrated less motion artifact in the IN-DEX group (1.75 ± 0.76 vs. 2.18 ± 0.88, p < 0.001). The rate of very poor or sedation failure was significantly lower in the IN-DEX group (17% vs 56.1%, p < 0.001), RR = 0.3 (95% CI 0.15 to 0.63, p < 0.001). No major adverse events were documented in either group. Bradycardia occurred in 8/41(19.5%) of children in IN-DEX group and none in TFS group (p = 0.003). Hypotension or poor perfusion were not demonstrated in either group. CONCLUSION: In children with autism undergoing electroencephalograms, IN-DEX was more tolerable than TFS, induced deeper sedation with a greater success rate, and improved electroencephalogram quality. Both sedatives were equally safe in this population.

Triclofos Sodium for Pediatric Sedation in Non-Painful Neurodiagnostic Studies.

AIM: Triclofos sodium (TFS) has been used for many years in children as a sedative for painless medical procedures. It is physiologically and pharmacologically similar to chloral hydrate, which has been censured for use in children with neurocognitive disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of TFS sedation in a pediatric population with a high rate of neurocognitive disability. METHODS: The database of the neurodiagnostic institute of a tertiary academic pediatric medical center was retrospectively reviewed for all children who underwent sedation with TFS in 2014. Data were collected on demographics, comorbidities, neurologic symptoms, sedation-related variables, and outcome. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 869 children (58.2% male) of median age 25 months (range 5-200 months); 364 (41.2%) had neurocognitive diagnoses, mainly seizures/epilepsy, hypotonia, or developmental delay. TFS was used for routine electroencephalography in 486 (53.8%) patients and audiometry in 401 (46.2%). Mean (± SD) dose of TFS was 50.2 ± 4.9 mg/kg. Median time to sedation was 45 min (range 5-245), and median duration of sedation was 35 min (range 5-190). Adequate sedation depth was achieved in 769 cases (88.5%). Rates of sedation-related adverse events were low: apnea, 0; desaturation ≤ 90%, 0.2% (two patients); and emesis, 0.35% (three patients). None of the children had hemodynamic instability or signs of poor perfusion. There was no association between desaturations and the presence of hypotonia or developmental delay. CONCLUSION: TFS, when administered in a controlled and monitored environment, may be safe for use in children, including those with underlying neurocognitive disorders.