Comparison of the induction characteristics of thiopentone and propofol in children.

The induction characteristics of propofol 2.0-2.5 mg kg-1 were compared with those of thiopentone 4-5 mg kg-1 in 60 fit children aged between 3 and 16 yr. All patients received i.m. premedication with papaveretum 0.4 mg kg-1 (maximum dose 15 mg) and hyoscine 0.008 mg kg-1 (maximum dose 0.3 mg). Seven children (24%) complained of pain after injection with propofol, compared with three (10%) after thiopentone. No child in either group complained of severe pain. Excitatory effects were observed in 10 children (33%) receiving propofol as opposed to five children (16%) after thiopentone, but these were transient and minor and all occurred after completion of injection. Apnoea lasting longer than 30 s occurred in only four children (13%) in each group despite the use of opioid premedication. The mean duration of apnoea was similar in both groups. Propofol caused greater decreases in arterial pressures (systolic, diastolic, mean) than thiopentone, but only the difference in systolic arterial pressure achieved significance. There was a significant difference in heart rate, which did not change after propofol, but increased with thiopentone. The overall quality of induction was assessed as being good in all children receiving thiopentone compared with 20 (66%) of those receiving propofol.