Chloral hydrate for sedation of children with asthma during dental treatment

Authors

  • I Abdulhamid Department of Developmental Dentistry, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Wayne State University, Detroit
  • M Tremblay Pulmonary Medicine Division and Pediatric Sleep Laboratory, Wayne State University, Detroit
  • J Stenger Pulmonary Medicine Division and Pediatric Sleep Laboratory, Wayne State University, Detroit
  • V Tutag Lehr The Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Department of Pharmacy Practice

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.23804/ejpd.2016.2.9.141

Keywords:

Asthma, Children, Chloral hydrate, Dental treatment

Abstract

AIM: We hypothesised that chloral hydrate is safe and effective for sedation during dental treatments for children with mild asthma. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of chloral hydrate by measuring changes in heart rate (HR), transcutaneous oxygen saturation, (SpO2), asthma score, behaviour, types and frequency of adverse reactions associated with chloral hydrate were assessed throughout treatment. METHODS: Children (<10 years old) with mild asthma undergoing dental treatments received a single 65 mg/kg oral dose of chloral hydrate liquid 1 hour prior to treatment in an open label trial. Heart rate (HR), SpO2, asthma score, behaviour, types and frequency of adverse reactions associated with chloral hydrate were assessed throughout treatment. Asthma score was obtained before and after treatment. Thirty minutes after treatment, SpO2, HR, and level of consciousness was assessed. CONCLUSION: Chloral hydrate 65 mg/kg administered a as single oral dose appears to be safe with respect to disease exacerbation for children with mild asthma undergoing dental treatment. Due to ineffective sedation and mild respiratory depression associated with chloral hydrate, newer, easily titrated medications, such as midazolam, may offer advantages.