The use of sodium nitroprusside in children.

The hypotensive response to sodium nitroprusside was investigated in 30 children, age range 5-15 years, weight range 14-60 kg, who were undergoing spinal surgery for kyphoscoliosis. It was possible to achieve a constant level of satisfactory hypotension within the range 70-80 mmHg systolic arterial pressure using sodium nitroprusside infused at a rate of 10 microng/kg/minute and no serious side effects were experienced at this dose rate.