Dose requirements of atracurium in paediatric intensive care patients.

The dose requirements of atracurium were determined in 12 children who required an infusion of atracurium to facilitate mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit. The mean duration of infusion was 98 h (range 36-284 h) during which an increasing dose requirement was observed in all patients. The mean infusion rate was 1.60 (SEM 0.08) mg kg-1 h-1, and in seven patients a mean infusion rate of 1.72 (0.15) mg kg-1 h-1 was observed at 72 h. These rates are greater than those reported previously in adults. Cessation of neuromuscular block occurred promptly upon discontinuing the infusion. No side effects were observed which could be attributed to the infusion of atracurium.