[Sedation with oral hydroxyzine and rectal chloral hydrate in pediatric MRI and CT].

AIM

To assess the efficacy and risks of oral hydroxyzine and rectal chloral hydrate to sedate children undergoing CT or MRI.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

110 children underwent 117 studies. Medical history, treatments, doses per kg of sedative drugs, study quality, sedation time and side effects were prospectively recorded.

RESULTS

25 minutes was the mean time necessary to put children to sleep, 59 minutes was the mean time of sedation 96% of studies were interpretable. 2 children showed transient side effects.

CONCLUSION

This sedation regimen appeared efficient. However, its limitations and risks have to be known by radiologists. Sedation-related problems also have to be considered by hospital managers when a new CT or MR equipment is being acquired.