Revista do Hospital das Clínicas
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Neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) have been widely used to control patients who need to be immobilized for some kind of medical intervention, such as an invasive procedure or synchronism with mechanical ventilation. The purpose of this monograph is to review the pharmacology of the NMBAs, to compare the main differences between the neuromuscular junction in neonates, infants, toddlers and adults, and moreover to discuss their indications in critically ill pediatric patients. ⋯ Therefore, the indication of these agents in pediatrics is determined with extreme judiciousness. Computerized (Medline 1990-2000) and active search of articles were the mechanisms used in this review.