Midazolam for the intravenous induction of anaesthesia in children.

Midazolam was compared with thiopentone as an intravenous anaesthetic induction agent in children between four and twelve years of age undergoing elective minor surgical procedures. Successful induction of anaesthesia was achieved in both groups of patients. With midazolam induction time was longer than with thiopentone, but the difference was not statistically significant. The incidence of apnoea was greater with thiopentone, but not significantly so. It is concluded that midazolam is effective and safe, and could prove a reasonable alternative to thiopentone as an intravenous induction agent in children undergoing elective minor operations.