Comparison of a chloral hydrate/hydroxyzine combination with and without meperidine in the sedation of pediatric dental patients.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of a chloral hydrate/hydroxyzine combination with and without meperidine in the sedation of pediatric dental patients. Twenty children were given 40 mg/kg chloral hydrate and 25 mg hydroxyzine, and 20 children were given 40 mg/kg chloral hydrate and 25 mg hydroxyzine and 0.5 mg/kg meperidine. All children were between the ages of 24 and 60 months and all medications were given orally 1 hr before treatment. The children received 50% nitrous oxide for the entire procedure. All children were restrained in a Papoose Board. The patients were videotaped and their behavior was rated by two independent pediatric dentists using the Houpt Scale. The independent evaluators did not know which sedation regimen had been used. They rated success of the sedations by degree of sleep, crying, body movements, and overall behavior. Oxygen saturation of arterial blood, and heart rate also were measured. The vital signs were consistent for the two groups. There was no significant difference in the effectiveness of the two drug regimens.