The journal of pediatric pharmacology and therapeutics : JPPT : the official journal of PPAG
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To validate the recently described Mercy method for weight estimation in an independent cohort of children living in the United States. ⋯ The Mercy method proved to be highly accurate and more robust than existing weight estimation strategies across a wider range of age and body mass index values, thereby making it superior to other existing approaches.
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J Pediatr Pharmacol Ther · Jul 2012
Retrospective review of propofol dosing for procedural sedation in pediatric patients.
The purpose of this study was to determine the total propofol dose (mg/kg) for non-emergent pediatric procedural sedation and evaluate dosing differences with regard to a patient's sex, age, and body mass index. Adverse events were recorded and evaluated to determine whether certain patient groups were at a higher risk than others. ⋯ There were no differences in dose requirements based on sex or age. The difference in dosing between different body weight categories was not statistically significant. The dose of propofol was higher in patients that experienced bradycardia and hypotension, but there was no statistical significance. Given the above, future studies with larger sample sizes should be conducted to establish if statistical significance exists.
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J Pediatr Pharmacol Ther · Jul 2012
Dexmedetomidine versus standard therapy with fentanyl for sedation in mechanically ventilated premature neonates.
To compare the efficacy and safety of dexmedetomidine and fentanyl for sedation in mechanically ventilated premature neonates. ⋯ Dexmedetomidine was safe and effective for sedation in the premature neonates included in this study. Prospective randomized-controlled trials are needed before routine use of dexmedetomidine can be recommended.
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J Pediatr Pharmacol Ther · Jul 2012
Benzonatate toxicity in a teenager resulting in coma, seizures, and severe metabolic acidosis.
We report a benzonatate overdose in a teenager resulting in life-threatening toxicity to increase awareness of this overdose, and discuss recent pediatric warnings and labeling information provided by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). After an overdose of benzonatate, a 13-yr-old female presented to our emergency department with coma, seizures, hypotension, prolonged QT interval on electrocardiogram, and metabolic acidosis. ⋯ Overdose is reported to cause coma, seizures, hypotension, tachycardia, ventricular dysrhythmias, and cardiac arrest. The FDA recently issued a Drug Safety Communication warning that accidental benzonatate ingestion in children younger than 10 years of age have increased risk of death and added the new information to the Warnings and Precautions section of benzonatate's label.
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Lacosamide was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2008 for adjunctive therapy for focal onset seizures in patients 17 years of age and older. The efficacy of this agent in adults has led clinicians to consider lacosamide for children with refractory seizures. ⋯ Lacosamide appears to be a useful adjunct therapy in children with refractory seizures. Clinical trials are under way that may provide more definitive information on the efficacy and safety of lacosamide in children and allow clinicians to determine the appropriate place of this antiseizure drug in pediatric epilepsy management.