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Safety and efficacy of chloral hydrate for procedural sedation in paediatric ophthalmology: a systematic review and meta-analysis
  1. Asimina Mataftsi1,
  2. Paraskevi Malamaki1,
  3. Efthymia Prousali1,
  4. Paraskevi Riga1,
  5. Dimitrios Lathyris2,
  6. Nikolaos T Chalvatzis1,
  7. Anna-Bettina Haidich3
  1. 12nd Department of Ophthalmology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
  2. 2Intensive Care Unit, General Hospital G. Gennimatas, Thessaloniki, Greece
  3. 3Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
  1. Correspondence to Dr Asimina Mataftsi, 2nd Department of Ophthalmology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, “Papageorpiou” Hospital, N. Efkarpia 56429, Greece; mataftsi{at}doctors.org.uk

Abstract

Purpose Although chloral hydrate (CH) has been used as a sedative for decades, it is not widely accepted as a valid choice for ophthalmic examinations in uncooperative children. This study aimed to systematically review the literature on the drug's safety and efficacy.

Methods We searched PubMed, EMBASE, ISI Web of Science, Scopus, CENTRAL, Google Scholar and Trip database to 1 October 2015, using the keywords ‘chloral hydrate’, ‘paediatric’ and ‘procedural sedation OR diagnostic sedation’. A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) was performed.

Results A total of 6961 articles were screened and 104 were included in the review. Thirteen of these concerned paediatric ophthalmic examination, while 13 others were RCTs and were meta-analysed. CH was reported to have been administered in a total of 24 265 sedation episodes in children aged from <1 month to 18 years. The meta-analysis showed CH had a higher OR (2.95, 95% CI 1.09 to 7.99) for successful sedation compared to other sedatives, but significant limitations apply. The commonest reported adverse events (AE) were not serious (eg, paradoxical reaction or transient vomiting) and required no intervention. Severe AE, including two deaths, were related to comorbidity, overdose or aspiration.

Conclusions Despite the paucity of high quality evidence, the existing literature suggests that the use of CH for procedural sedation in children appears to be an effective alternative to general anaesthesia, and it can be safe when administered in the hospital setting with appropriate monitoring and vigilance for intervention.

  • Child health (paediatrics)
  • Drugs

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Footnotes

  • This study was partly presented at the 40th Annual Meeting of the European Paediatric Ophthalmological Society in Barcelona, on 6–8 November 2014.

  • Contributors All authors made substantial contributions to the conception of this work, drafted or revised it for content, approved the final version and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

  • Funding No funding was received for this work.

  • Competing interests None declared.

  • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.