Comparison of Chloral Hydrate Nasal Spray With an Oral Solution for Sedation Before Electroencephalography in Children

Abstract

Background The choice of route of drug administration is given depends not only on the compliance but also on the drug’s pharmacokinetics pathway. In this study, the efficacy, and safety of nasal and oral administration of chloral hydrate in the pediatric ready for electroencephalography were evaluated. Methods 143 infants who had to undergo EEG for the diagnosis of neurological disorders received chloral hydrate between January 2017 and December 2018. Chloral hydrate was administered nasally or orally to infants using doses of 50-100 mg/kg. Clinical parameters are being analyzed to measure the efficacy/safety of nasal spray Vs. oral administration was (a) Heart rate Pre-sedation, (b) Heart rate Post Sedation, (c ) Hypoxemia, (d) Apnea), and (e) Oxygen Supplementation. Mean procedure time, mean recovery time, and total nursing times were calculated. Results Oral chloral hydrate group showed a lower heart rate and also a significantly higher percentage of hypoxemia. Apnea was not statistically different between the groups. The mean procedure time for the nasal and oral solution was ranged from 10 to 15 and 15-25 min, respectively. The mean recovery time for the nasal and oral solution was 5-8 and 10-15 min, respectively. Conclusion Chloral hydrate nasal spray is likely to be more safe and effective than oral in pediatric sedation.