Midazolam as an induction agent in children: a pharmacokinetic and clinical study
Salonen, M.; Kanto, J.; Iisalo, E.; Himberg, J.J.
Anesthesia and Analgesia 66(7): 625-628
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-2999 PMID: 3605671 Document Number: 302184
The pharmacokinetics of midazolam was studied in 21 children undergoing elective surgery at five different dose levels for induction of general anesthesia and were compared with a control group (n = 6) given thiopental, 5 mg/kg. The clearance of midazolam was found to be dose-related. The elimination half-life varied from 0.79 to 2.83 hr, which is shorter than in adult patients. Even a dose of 0.6 mg/kg midazolam was found to be unreliable as an agent for induction of anesthesia. Compared with thiopental 5 mg/kg, significantly longer times of onset to closing of the eyes (P less than 0.01) and the disappearance of eyelid reflex (P less than 0.01) were seen with midazolam.