Risk factors for prolonged sedation recovery time in children with epilepsy

Abstract

Objective To analyze the risk factors for prolonged sedation recovery time in epileptic children. Methods A cross-sectional trial was conducted on the epileptic children who underwent electroencephalography (EEG) with oral administration of chloral hydrate and nasal dexmedetomidine for sedation in our hospital from November 2019 to December 2022. Their general information and sedation and medication data were collected. Prolonged sedation recovery time was defined as beyond the 75th percentile of awaking time, and then the children were divided into recovery time ≤1 h group and >1 h group. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify the risk factors for recovery time in these children. Results A total of 1 346 children were enrolled, including 805 males and 541 females, with a median age of 6.03 (4.42, 8.56) years. There were 986 children assigned into recovery time ≤1 h group and 360 ones into recovery time >1 h group. Univariate analysis showed that significant differences were observed in the proportions of age < 1 year (0.8% vs 2.2%, P=0.046), sedation more than 3 times (35.8% vs 42.2%, P=0.031), and treated with multiple antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) (25.5% vs 36.9%, P < 0.001) between the 2 groups. Multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that age < 1 year (OR=2.943, 95%CI: 1.063~8.142, P=0.034), sedation times ≥3 (OR=1.287, 95%CI: 1.003~1.649, P=0.047) and multiple use of AEDs (OR=1.718, 95%CI: 1.325~2.223, P < 0.001) were risk factors for prolonged recovery time. Conclusion Age < 1 year, sedation times ≥3 and multiple use of AEDs are risk factors for prolonged sedation recovery time in epileptic children undergoing EEG after oral chloral hydrate and nasal dexmedetomidine.

Keywords

• epilepsy
• pediatrics
• deep sedation
• risk factors