PURPOSE: To determine the safety and efficacy of high-dose oral chloral hydrate for pediatric ophthalmic procedures. METHODS: This study is a retrospective review of a quality audit of pediatric sedation for ophthalmic evaluation and imaging performed at King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital between January 1 and December 31, 2011, in children aged 1 month to 6 years. RESULTS: Three hundred fifty-eight of 380 (94.2%) sedation procedures were successful after a single dose of chloral hydrate, with 356 of 380 (93.7%) children sedated within 45 minutes of the first dose. The total success rate of the sedation procedure increased to 97.9% (372 of 380) when a second dose was administered. Children adequately sedated after a single dose of chloral hydrate were on average younger and weighed less than children who required additional doses. No major adverse events were documented. CONCLUSIONS: The use of chloral hydrate sedation for ophthalmic evaluation and imaging was safe and effective in this patient population with a high rate of procedure completion. Copyright 2014, SLACK Incorporated.
PURPOSE: To determine the safety and efficacy of high-dose oral chloral hydrate for pediatric ophthalmic procedures. METHODS: This study is a retrospective review of a quality audit of pediatric sedation for ophthalmic evaluation and imaging performed at King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital between January 1 and December 31, 2011, in children aged 1 month to 6 years. RESULTS: Three hundred fifty-eight of 380 (94.2%) sedation procedures were successful after a single dose of chloral hydrate, with 356 of 380 (93.7%) children sedated within 45 minutes of the first dose. The total success rate of the sedation procedure increased to 97.9% (372 of 380) when a second dose was administered. Children adequately sedated after a single dose of chloral hydrate were on average younger and weighed less than children who required additional doses. No major adverse events were documented. CONCLUSIONS: The use of chloral hydrate sedation for ophthalmic evaluation and imaging was safe and effective in this patient population with a high rate of procedure completion. Copyright 2014, SLACK Incorporated.