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.
