ED study of 60 pediatric patients for procedural sedation

• Fentanyl 1 mcg/kg was followed by 0.1 to 0.2 mg/kg of etomidate IV.
• One dose of 0.2 mg/kg IV etomidate was adequate for 39/60 patients
• 16.4% had respiratory depression
• Desaturation occured in 23 patients
• No patient required positive pressure ventilation
• Average recovery in 21 minutes

Bottom line: Etomidate can achieve effective sedation in children for a short procedure. Although respiratory effects were noted, none of them required assisted ventilation.

References

Mandt MJ, Roback MG, Bajaj L, Galinkin JL, Gao D, Wathen JE. Etomidate for short pediatric procedures in the emergency department. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2012 Sep;28(9):898-904.