Neuromuscular transmission and its pharmacological blockade. Part 4: Use of relaxants in paediatric and elderly patients, in obstetrics, and in the intensive care unit.

The pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic characteristics of the non-depolarizing muscle relaxants are dependent on age. Thus differences are found between paediatric patients, adults, and elderly patients. Muscle relaxants cross the placenta and thus may cause problems in the fetus. Many of the potential adverse effects of relaxant administration are seen more pronounced in intensive care patients. Prolonged effects and problems in wearing patients from the ventilator are observed when muscle relaxants are used in such patients. Critical illness neuropathy is a syndrome different from relaxant induced neuromyopathy, but may be enhanced by relaxant administration.