| International Journal of Clinical Pediatrics, ISSN 1927-1255 print, 1927-1263 online, Open Access |
| Article copyright, the authors; Journal compilation copyright, Int J Clin Pediatr and Elmer Press Inc |
| Journal website https://ijcp.elmerpub.com |
Original Article
Volume 14, Number 2, October 2025, pages 21-27
A Retrospective Review to Determine the Safety of Continuous Dexmedetomidine Infusions on the Inpatient Ward in Pediatric Patients With Acute and Chronic Pain Conditions
Tables
| Variable | Number (%) | Median (IQR) |
|---|---|---|
| The data are listed as the number (percentage) or median and IQR. IQR: interquartile range; ASA: American Society of Anesthesiologists. | ||
| Number of patients | 26 | |
| Procedures and anesthetic encounters | 10 (38.5) | |
| Age (years) | 5 (2, 15) | |
| Gender | ||
| Male | 18 (69.2) | |
| Female | 8 (30.8) | |
| Race/ethnicity | ||
| Hispanic/Latino | 1 (3.8) | |
| Non-Hispanic Black | 7 (26.9) | |
| Non-Hispanic White | 18 (69.2) | |
| Height (cm) | 103.7 (84.1, 159.0) | |
| Weight (kg) | 18.9 (12.7, 60.0) | |
| Primary disease condition | ||
| Acute leukemia | 6 (23.1) | |
| Neuroblastoma | 12 (46.2) | |
| Sickle cell disease | 4 (15.4) | |
| Other | 4 (15.4) | |
| Types of procedures | ||
| Acute leukemia - chemotherapy | 2 (20.0) | |
| Neuroblastoma - chemotherapy | 7 (70.0) | |
| Gun shot wound repair | 1 (10.0) | |
| ASA physical status | ||
| II | 3 (30.0) | |
| III | 7 (70.0) | |
| Variable | Number (%) | Median (IQR) |
|---|---|---|
| Data are listed as the number (percentage) or median and IQR. IQR: interquartile range; ASA: American Society of Anesthesiologists; AE: adverse effect. | ||
| Was dexmedetomidine used postoperatively? | ||
| No | 16 (61.5) | |
| Yes | 10 (38.5) | |
| Total anesthesia time (min) | 63.5 (27, 70) | |
| Total surgery time (min, five patients) | 20 (13, 21) | |
| Total number of dexmedetomidine infusions | 26 | |
| Number patients administered dexmedetomidine bolus | 5 | |
| Dexmedetomidine infusion rate (µg/kg/min) | ||
| ≤ 0.6 | 15 (57.7) | |
| > 0.6 | 11 (42.3) | |
| Total infusion time (days) | ||
| 1 | 7 (26.9) | |
| 2 | 5 (19.2) | |
| 3 | 3 (11.5) | |
| 4 | 2 (7.7) | |
| 5 | 2 (7.7) | |
| 6 | 1 (3.8) | |
| 7 | 2 (7.7) | |
| 8 | 1 (3.8) | |
| 9 | 1 (3.8) | |
| ≥ 10 | 2 (7.7) | |
| Changes to infusion rate | ||
| Decreased | 1 (3.8) | |
| Increased | 9 (34.6) | |
| Both increased and decreased | 16 (61.5) | |
| Adverse effect recorded | ||
| No | 15 (57.7) | |
| Yes | 11 (42.3) | |
| Type of adverse effect | ||
| Delirium or hallucinations | 4 | |
| Hypotension | 4 | |
| Mild sedation | 2 | |
| Bradycardia | 1 | |
| Infusion rate changed due to AE | 9 | |