Sedation with chloral hydrate and melatonin in childhood electroencephalography

Year 2025, Volume: 2 Issue: 1, 15 - 20, 15.02.2025

Betül Diler Durgut , Emine Tekin

https://doi.org/10.70058/cjm.1529462

Abstract

Objective: Recording an electroencephalography (EEG) in children is challenging due to their restlessness during the procedure and inability to follow the required instructions. Sleep deprivation and the use of sedative agents are necessary to perform the recording. This study aims to compare the success of sedation with chloral hydrate and melatonin.
Methods: Patients who underwent EEG recording between December 2023 and March 2024 were retrospectively evaluated. The chloral hydrate and melatonin groups were formed for the patients requiring sedation. According to the protocol applied in our clinic, chloral hydrate was administered orally at a dose range of 30-50 mg/kg (max 1500 mg), while melatonin was given orally at a dose of 1-3 mg. The sociodemographic information of the patients was recorded from hospital charts, sleeping rates and EEG recording duration were compared.
Results: Of the 471 patients EEG performed, 240 (51%) were female and 231 (49%) were male. The mean age was 9.1±5.1 years, with a median age of 9.5 years. Sleep deprivation was appropriately carried out in 434 patients (92.3%), while 37 patients did not achieved sleep deprivation. Among the 76 patients who received sedation, chloral hydrate was used in 45 (59.2%) and melatonin in 31 (40.8%). Sleeping ratio were 82.2% and 80.6% in the chloral hydrate and melatonin groups respectively; there was no statistically significant difference in sleeping rates (p: 0.86). No serious drug-related side effects were observed in either group. Rare gastric complaints, such as gastric discomfort and nausea/vomiting were noted in the chloral hydrate group.
Conclusion: Melatonin and chloral hydrate provided similar rates of sedation. This study showed either drug can be choosen for the sedation in pediatric EEG recordings.

Keywords

Children, Chloral Hydrate, Electroencephalography, Melatonin, Sedation

Ethical Statement

Ethics committee approval was obtained from Giresun University Clinical Research Ethics Committee ( Date/Number: 17.07.2024/01)

Supporting Institution

None

Thanks

None

Çocukluk çağı elektroensefalografisinde kloral hidrat ve melatonin ile sedasyon

Abstract

References

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