An assessment of the success of meperidine and promethazine sedation in medically compromised children.

A retrospective study evaluated the success of orally administered meperidine (1.0 mg/lb) and promethazine (0.5 mg/lb) combined with N20:02, and determined predictors of success in a medically, physically and/or mentally compromised population. Behavior of 143 uncooperative patients (mean age 6.4 years) was evaluated during 282 sedations. A simplified Success Index rated outcome: 1-failure, 2-moderately successful; 3-highly successful. Variables were examined for effect on outcome of sedation: physical and/or neurologic component of medical diagnosis; previous hospital experience; medication category. Children taking medications with CNS actions were significantly less likely to have either moderately successful (p = .008) or highly successful appointments (p = .002). Children with a neurologic component to their medical diagnosis were significantly less likely to have a highly successful appointment (p = .001). Oral sedation was effective for this population (77 percent were successful) and certain characteristics of the patient's condition can predict success.