| Abstract: | The purpose of this study was to evaluate various doses of sublingual midazolam premedication in children. In our prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, children (n=102, age range 12 to 129 months) scheduled for day surgery were randomized to receive either midazolam in one of three doses (0.25, 0.5, or 0.75 mg·kg?1) or placebo. Injectable midazolam was mixed with a thick grape syrup and placed under the tongue; the patient was asked to hold it as long as possible before swallowing. Children readily accepted the mixture. Analysing all patients randomized, none of the children receiving placebo vs 28% receiving 0.25 mg·kg?1 (P=0.02), 52% receiving 0.5 mg·kg?1 (P<0.001), and 64% receiving 0.75 mg·kg?1 (P<0.001) of midazolam showed satisfactory sedation (drowsy) at 15 min after administration. Children receiving the two higher doses of midazolam (0.5 and 0.75 mg·kg?1) accepted mask induction willingly, while the group receiving 0.25 mg·kg?1 resembled the placebo group (P<0.05). |
