Re-evaluation of dosage and duration of action of d-tubocurarine in the pediatric age group

Anesthesiology. 1975 Oct;43(4):416-25. doi: 10.1097/00000542-197510000-00007.

Abstract

A cumulative dose-response curve for d-tubocurarine based on body weight was determined for 44 infants and children 1 day to 7 years of age during halothane, nitrous oxide and oxygen anesthesia. Depression of thumb adduction was measured. Age difference did not affect the mean dose-effect response. Infants less than 10 days old, however, showed the wideest deviation of responses. When the effect of d-tubocurarine is determined by twitch response, infants and children are more resistant to d-tubocurarine and recover faster than adults from similar levels of neuromuscular depression. Monitoring of neuromuscular function by train-of-four stimulation proved as useful as it is in adults.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Body Weight
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Halothane / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Neuromuscular Junction / drug effects
  • Neuromuscular Junction / physiology
  • Nitrous Oxide / administration & dosage
  • Synaptic Transmission / drug effects
  • Time Factors
  • Tubocurarine / administration & dosage*

Substances

  • Nitrous Oxide
  • Halothane
  • Tubocurarine