Cochrane · systematic review · CD011786

Chloral hydrate as a sedating agent for neurodiagnostic procedures in children

Fong, CY, Lim, WK, Li, L, et al. · Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · 2021 · Cochrane Library

Epilepsy2 versionsAMSTAR 2: not assessed
SoF tableOnly the outcomes this review put in its Summary of Findings table are listed (the Cochrane Handbook caps them at about seven per comparison). Its other analyses are not shown here.
Questions
63
current version
GRADE rated
46
No studies
17
Included studies
NR
No studies 17 · 27%Ungraded 0 · 0%Very low 6 · 9.5%Low 18 · 28.6%Moderate 20 · 31.7%High 2 · 3.2%

Ungraded means an effect was reported without a GRADE rating; it is not a gap. No studies means the review found nothing to answer the question. The six categories are a display order, not a score.

Questions and results

Current version only

Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg) compared to dexmedetomidine oral (2 µg/kg or 3 µg/kg) as sedating agents for neurodiagnostic procedures in children

Population: children undergoing neurodiagnostic procedures
CD011786.PUB3 (current) · 6 questions
OutcomeEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Proportion of children who successfully completed neurodiagnostic procedure without interruption by the child awakening
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg) vs dexmedetomidine oral (2 µg/kg or 3 µg/kg)
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Proportion of children who required a further dose of either the same sedative agent or the addition of a different sedative agent
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg) vs dexmedetomidine oral (2 µg/kg or 3 µg/kg)
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Time to adequate sedation (minutes or as measured by specific validated scales such as the Ramsay Sedation Score)
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg) vs dexmedetomidine oral (2 µg/kg or 3 µg/kg)
no estimate extracted1 study · 160 participantsModerate
Downgraded: risk of bias
Proportion of children who had sedation failure or inadequate level of sedation
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg) vs dexmedetomidine oral (2 µg/kg or 3 µg/kg)
RR 1.14 [0.51, 2.53]1 study · 160 participantsModerate
Downgraded: imprecision
Sedation duration (minutes)
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg) vs dexmedetomidine oral (2 µg/kg or 3 µg/kg)
no estimate extracted1 study · 160 participantsModerate
Downgraded: imprecision
Number of children with clinical adverse events (any)
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg) vs dexmedetomidine oral (2 µg/kg or 3 µg/kg)
RR 7.66 [1.78, 32.91]1 study · 160 participantsLow
Downgraded: imprecision

Chloral hydrate oral (75 mg/kg) compared to pentobarbital intravenous (5 mg/kg) as sedating agents for neurodiagnostic procedures in children

Population: children undergoing neurodiagnostic procedures
CD011786.PUB3 (current) · 7 questions
OutcomeEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Proportion of children who successfully completed neurodiagnostic procedure without interruption by the child awakening
Chloral hydrate oral (75 mg/kg) vs pentobarbital intravenous (5 mg/kg)
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Proportion of children who required a further dose of either the same sedative agent or the addition of a different sedative agent
Chloral hydrate oral (75 mg/kg) vs pentobarbital intravenous (5 mg/kg)
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Time to adequate sedation (minutes or as measured by specific validated scales such as the Ramsay Sedation Score)
Chloral hydrate oral (75 mg/kg) vs pentobarbital intravenous (5 mg/kg)
no estimate extracted1 study · 70 participantsLow
Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision
Proportion of children who had sedation failure after 1 dose of sedative agent
Chloral hydrate oral (75 mg/kg) vs pentobarbital intravenous (5 mg/kg)
RR 4.33 [1.35, 13.89]1 study · 70 participantsLow
Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision
Proportion of children who had sedation failure after 2 doses of sedative agent (same or different)
Chloral hydrate oral (75 mg/kg) vs pentobarbital intravenous (5 mg/kg)
RR 3 [0.33, 27.46]1 study · 70 participantsVery low
Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision
Non‐interpretable neuroimaging finding
Chloral hydrate oral (75 mg/kg) vs pentobarbital intravenous (5 mg/kg)
RR 0.23 [0.03, 1.94]1 study · 54 participantsVery low
Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision
Number of children with clinical adverse event: oxygen desaturation
Chloral hydrate oral (75 mg/kg) vs pentobarbital intravenous (5 mg/kg)
RR 0.67 [0.21, 2.16]1 study · 70 participantsVery low
Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision

Chloral hydrate oral (100 mg/kg or 75 mg/kg) compared to midazolam (intranasal 0.2 mg/kg or oral 0.5 mg/kg) as sedating agents for neurodiagnostic procedures in children

Population: children undergoing neurodiagnostic procedures
CD011786.PUB3 (current) · 8 questions
OutcomeEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Proportion of children who successfully completed neurodiagnostic procedure without interruption by the child awakening
Chloral hydrate oral (100 mg/kg or 75 mg/kg) vs midazolam (intranasal 0.2 mg/kg or oral 0.5 mg/kg)
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Proportion of children who required a further dose of either the same sedative agent or the addition of a different sedative agent
Chloral hydrate oral (100 mg/kg or 75 mg/kg) vs midazolam (intranasal 0.2 mg/kg or oral 0.5 mg/kg)
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Time to adequate sedation (minutes or as measured by specific validated scales such as the Ramsay Sedation Score)
Chloral hydrate oral (100 mg/kg or 75 mg/kg) vs midazolam (intranasal 0.2 mg/kg or oral 0.5 mg/kg)
no estimate extracted1 study · 60 participantsModerate
Downgraded: imprecision, inconsistency
Proportion of children with inadequate level of sedation (Ramsay score below 4)
Chloral hydrate oral (100 mg/kg or 75 mg/kg) vs midazolam (intranasal 0.2 mg/kg or oral 0.5 mg/kg)
RR 0.11 [0.03, 0.44]1 study · 60 participantsModerate
Downgraded: imprecision, inconsistency
Proportion of children who had sedation failure after 1 dose of sedative agent
Chloral hydrate oral (100 mg/kg or 75 mg/kg) vs midazolam (intranasal 0.2 mg/kg or oral 0.5 mg/kg)
RR 0.17 [0.02, 1.12]1 study · 33 participantsLow
Downgraded: imprecision
Sedation duration (minutes)
Chloral hydrate oral (100 mg/kg or 75 mg/kg) vs midazolam (intranasal 0.2 mg/kg or oral 0.5 mg/kg)
no estimate extracted1 study · 33 participantsLow
Downgraded: imprecision
EEG sedative‐induced artefact
Chloral hydrate oral (100 mg/kg or 75 mg/kg) vs midazolam (intranasal 0.2 mg/kg or oral 0.5 mg/kg)
RR 0.58 [0.44, 0.76]1 study · 198 participantsHigh
Number of children with clinical adverse events (any)
Chloral hydrate oral (100 mg/kg or 75 mg/kg) vs midazolam (intranasal 0.2 mg/kg or oral 0.5 mg/kg)
RR 0.2 [0.01, 4.2]1 study · 198 participantsLow
Downgraded: imprecision

Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg) compared to melatonin oral as sedating agents for neurodiagnostic procedures in children

Population: children undergoing neurodiagnostic procedures
CD011786.PUB3 (current) · 6 questions
OutcomeEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Proportion of children who successfully completed neurodiagnostic procedure without interruption by the child awakening
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg) vs melatonin oral
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Proportion of children who required a further dose of either the same sedative agent or the addition of a different sedative agent
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg) vs melatonin oral
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Time to adequate sedation (minutes or as measured by specific validated scales such as the Ramsay Sedation Score)
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg) vs melatonin oral
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Proportion of children who had sedation failure or inadequate level of sedation
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg) vs melatonin oral
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
EEG sedative‐induced artefact
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg) vs melatonin oral
RR 0.33 [0.14, 0.82]1 study · 348 participantsLow
Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision
Number of children with clinical adverse events (any)
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg) vs melatonin oral
RR 1 [0.25, 3.93]1 study · 348 participantsLow
Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision

Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg + 50 mg/kg) compared to hydroxyzine hydrochloride oral (1 mg/kg + 1 mg/kg) as sedating agents for neurodiagnostic procedures in children

Population: children undergoing neurodiagnostic procedures
CD011786.PUB3 (current) · 7 questions
OutcomeEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Proportion of children who successfully completed neurodiagnostic procedure without interruption by the child awakening
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg + 50 mg/kg) vs hydroxyzine hydrochloride oral (1 mg/kg + 1 mg/kg)
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Proportion of children who required a further dose of either the same sedative agent or the addition of a different sedative agent
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg + 50 mg/kg) vs hydroxyzine hydrochloride oral (1 mg/kg + 1 mg/kg)
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
TIme to adequate sedation (minutes or as measured by specific validated scales such as the Ramsay Sedation Score)
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg + 50 mg/kg) vs hydroxyzine hydrochloride oral (1 mg/kg + 1 mg/kg)
no estimate extracted1 study · 282 participantsModerate
Downgraded: risk of bias
Proportion of children who had sedation failure or inadequate level of sedation
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg + 50 mg/kg) vs hydroxyzine hydrochloride oral (1 mg/kg + 1 mg/kg)
RR 0.33 [0.11, 1.01]1 study · 282 participantsLow
Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision
Sedation duration (minutes)
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg + 50 mg/kg) vs hydroxyzine hydrochloride oral (1 mg/kg + 1 mg/kg)
no estimate extracted1 study · 282 participantsModerate
Downgraded: risk of bias
Number of children with clinical adverse event: behavioural change
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg + 50 mg/kg) vs hydroxyzine hydrochloride oral (1 mg/kg + 1 mg/kg)
RR 1.17 [0.4, 3.38]1 study · 282 participantsLow
Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision
Number of children with clinical adverse event: nausea or vomiting
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg + 50 mg/kg) vs hydroxyzine hydrochloride oral (1 mg/kg + 1 mg/kg)
RR 1.25 [0.34, 4.56]1 study · 282 participantsLow
Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision

Chloral hydrate oral (70 mg/kg) compared to promethazine oral (1 mg/kg) as sedating agents for neurodiagnostic procedures in children

Population: children undergoing neurodiagnostic procedures
CD011786.PUB3 (current) · 7 questions
OutcomeEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Proportion of children who successfully completed neurodiagnostic procedure without interruption by the child awakening
Chloral hydrate oral (70 mg/kg) vs promethazine oral (1 mg/kg)
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Proportion of children who required a further dose of either the same sedative agent or the addition of a different sedative agent
Chloral hydrate oral (70 mg/kg) vs promethazine oral (1 mg/kg)
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Time to adequate sedation (minutes or as measured by specific validated scales such as the Ramsay Sedation Score)
Chloral hydrate oral (70 mg/kg) vs promethazine oral (1 mg/kg)
no estimate extracted1 study · 60 participantsModerate
Downgraded: imprecision, inconsistency
Proportion of children with inadequate level of sedation (Ramsay score below 4)
Chloral hydrate oral (70 mg/kg) vs promethazine oral (1 mg/kg)
RR 0.03 [0, 0.45]1 study · 60 participantsLow
Downgraded: imprecision
Proportion of children who had sedation failure or inadequate level of sedation
Chloral hydrate oral (70 mg/kg) vs promethazine oral (1 mg/kg)
RR 0.11 [0.01, 0.82]1 study · 60 participantsModerate
Downgraded: imprecision, inconsistency
Number of children with clinical adverse event: behavioural change
Chloral hydrate oral (70 mg/kg) vs promethazine oral (1 mg/kg)
RR 0.2 [0.01, 4]1 study · 60 participantsModerate
Downgraded: imprecision, inconsistency
Number of children with clinical adverse event: vomiting or nausea
Chloral hydrate oral (70 mg/kg) vs promethazine oral (1 mg/kg)
RR 13 [0.76, 220.96]1 study · 60 participantsLow
Downgraded: imprecision

Chloral hydrate oral (60 mg/kg) compared to music therapy as sedating agents for neurodiagnostic procedures in children

Population: children undergoing neurodiagnostic procedures
CD011786.PUB3 (current) · 6 questions
OutcomeEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Proportion of children who successfully completed neurodiagnostic procedure without interruption by the child awakening
Chloral hydrate oral (60 mg/kg) vs music therapy
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Proportion of children who required a further dose of either the same sedative agent or the addition of a different sedative agent
Chloral hydrate oral (60 mg/kg) vs music therapy
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Time to adequate sedation (minutes or as measured by specific validated scales such as the Ramsay Sedation Score)
Chloral hydrate oral (60 mg/kg) vs music therapy
no estimate extracted1 study · 58 participantsVery low
Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision
Proportion of children who had sedation failure or inadequate level of sedation
Chloral hydrate oral (60 mg/kg) vs music therapy
RR 17 [2.37, 122.14]1 study · 58 participantsVery low
Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision
Sedation duration (minutes)
Chloral hydrate oral (60 mg/kg) vs music therapy
no estimate extracted1 study · 58 participantsVery low
Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision
Number of children with clinical adverse events (any)
Chloral hydrate oral (60 mg/kg) vs music therapy
no estimate extractedNRNo studies

Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg) compared to sodium thiopental rectal (25 mg/kg) for neurodiagnostic procedures in children

Population: neurodiagnostic procedures in children
CD011786.PUB3 (current) · 7 questions
OutcomeEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Proportion of children who successfully completed neurodiagnostic procedure without interruption by the child awakening
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg) vs sodium thiopental rectal (25 mg/kg)
RR 0.95 [0.83, 1.09]1 study · 140 participantsModerate
Downgraded: imprecision
Time to adequate sedation (minutes or as measured by specific validated scales such as the Ramsay Sedation Score)
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg) vs sodium thiopental rectal (25 mg/kg)
no estimate extracted1 study · 140 participantsModerate
Downgraded: imprecision
Proportion of children who had sedation failure or inadequate level of sedation
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg) vs sodium thiopental rectal (25 mg/kg)
RR 1.33 [0.6, 2.96]1 study · 140 participantsModerate
Downgraded: imprecision
Sedation duration (minutes
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg) vs sodium thiopental rectal (25 mg/kg)
no estimate extracted1 study · 140 participantsModerate
Downgraded: imprecision
Number of children with clinical adverse event: desaturation
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg) vs sodium thiopental rectal (25 mg/kg)
RR 5 [0.24, 102.3]1 study · 140 participantsLow
Downgraded: imprecision
Number of children with clinical adverse event: diarrhoea
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg) vs sodium thiopental rectal (25 mg/kg)
RR 0.04 [0, 0.72]1 study · 140 participantsModerate
Downgraded: imprecision
Mean diastolic blood pressure during procedure (mmHg)
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg) vs sodium thiopental rectal (25 mg/kg)
no estimate extracted1 study · 140 participantsModerate

Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg) compared to clonidine oral (4 μg/kg) for neurodiagnostic procedures in children

Population: neurodiagnostic procedures in children
CD011786.PUB3 (current) · 4 questions
OutcomeEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Time to adequate sedation (minutes or as measured by specific validated scales such as the Ramsay Sedation Score) (minutes)
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg) vs clonidine oral (4 μg/kg)
no estimate extracted1 study · 198 participantsLow
Downgraded: risk of bias
Sedation duration (minutes)
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg) vs clonidine oral (4 μg/kg)
no estimate extracted1 study · 198 participantsLow
Downgraded: risk of bias
Number of children with clinical adverse event: drowsiness
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg) vs clonidine oral (4 μg/kg)
RR 0.44 [0.3, 0.64]1 study · 198 participantsModerate
Downgraded: risk of bias
Number of children with clinical adverse event: vertigo
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg) vs clonidine oral (4 μg/kg)
RR 0.15 [0.01, 2.79]1 study · 198 participantsModerate
Downgraded: risk of bias

Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg) compared to dexmedetomidine intranasal (3 μg/kg) for neurodiagnostic procedures in children

Population: neurodiagnostic procedures in children
CD011786.PUB3 (current) · 5 questions
OutcomeEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Time to adequate sedation (minutes or as measured by specific validated scales such as the Ramsay Sedation Score) (minutes)
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg) vs dexmedetomidine intranasal (3 μg/kg)
no estimate extracted1 study · 194 participantsModerate
Number of children with clinical adverse event: bradycardia
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg) vs dexmedetomidine intranasal (3 μg/kg)
RR 0.17 [0.05, 0.59]1 study · 194 participantsHigh
Number of children with clinical adverse event: unsteadiness within 24 h after discharge
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg) vs dexmedetomidine intranasal (3 μg/kg)
RR 10.21 [0.58, 178.52]1 study · 173 participantsLow
Downgraded: imprecision
Number of children with clinical adverse event: crying during administration of sedation
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg) vs dexmedetomidine intranasal (3 μg/kg)
RR 1.39 [1.08, 1.8]1 study · 194 participantsModerate
Number of children with clinical adverse event: vomiting
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg) vs dexmedetomidine intranasal (3 μg/kg)
RR 10.59 [0.61, 185.45]1 study · 194 participantsLow
Downgraded: imprecision

Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg) compared to dexmedetomidine oral (2 mg/kg or 3 mg/kg) as sedating agents for neurodiagnostic procedures in children

Population: children undergoing neurodiagnostic procedures
CD011786.PUB2 · 6 questions
OutcomeEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Proportion of children who successfully completed neurodiagnostic procedure without interruption by the child awakening
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg) vs dexmedetomidine oral (2 mg/kg or 3 mg/kg)
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Proportion of children who required a further dose of either the same sedative agent or the addition of a different sedative agent
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg) vs dexmedetomidine oral (2 mg/kg or 3 mg/kg)
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Time to adequate sedation (minutes or as measured by specific validated scales such as the Ramsay Sedation Score)
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg) vs dexmedetomidine oral (2 mg/kg or 3 mg/kg)
no estimate extracted1 study · 160 participantsModerate
Downgraded: risk of bias
Proportion of children who had sedation failure or inadequate level of sedation
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg) vs dexmedetomidine oral (2 mg/kg or 3 mg/kg)
RR 1.14 [0.51, 2.53]1 study · 160 participantsModerate
Downgraded: imprecision
Sedation duration (minutes)
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg) vs dexmedetomidine oral (2 mg/kg or 3 mg/kg)
no estimate extracted1 study · 160 participantsModerate
Downgraded: imprecision
Number of children with clinical adverse events (any)
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg) vs dexmedetomidine oral (2 mg/kg or 3 mg/kg)
RR 7.66 [1.78, 32.91]1 study · 160 participantsLow
Downgraded: imprecision

Chloral hydrate oral (75 mg/kg) compared to pentobarbital intravenous (5 mg/kg) as sedating agents for neurodiagnostic procedures in children

Population: children undergoing neurodiagnostic procedures
CD011786.PUB2 · 7 questions
OutcomeEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Proportion of children who successfully completed neurodiagnostic procedure without interruption by the child awakening
Chloral hydrate oral (75 mg/kg) vs pentobarbital intravenous (5 mg/kg)
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Proportion of children who required a further dose of either the same sedative agent or the addition of a different sedative agent
Chloral hydrate oral (75 mg/kg) vs pentobarbital intravenous (5 mg/kg)
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Time to adequate sedation (minutes or as measured by specific validated scales such as the Ramsay Sedation Score)
Chloral hydrate oral (75 mg/kg) vs pentobarbital intravenous (5 mg/kg)
no estimate extracted1 study · 70 participantsLow
Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision
Proportion of children who had sedation failure after 1 dose of sedative agent
Chloral hydrate oral (75 mg/kg) vs pentobarbital intravenous (5 mg/kg)
RR 4.33 [1.35, 13.89]1 study · 70 participantsLow
Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision
Proportion of children who had sedation failure after 2 doses of sedative agent (same or different)
Chloral hydrate oral (75 mg/kg) vs pentobarbital intravenous (5 mg/kg)
RR 3 [0.33, 27.46]1 study · 70 participantsVery low
Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision
Non‐interpretable neuroimaging finding
Chloral hydrate oral (75 mg/kg) vs pentobarbital intravenous (5 mg/kg)
RR 0.23 [0.03, 1.94]1 study · 54 participantsVery low
Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision
Number of children with clinical adverse event: oxygen desaturation
Chloral hydrate oral (75 mg/kg) vs pentobarbital intravenous (5 mg/kg)
RR 0.67 [0.21, 2.16]1 study · 70 participantsVery low
Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision

Chloral hydrate oral (100 mg/kg or 75 mg/kg) compared to midazolam (intranasal 0.2 mg/kg or oral 0.5 mg/kg) as sedating agents for neurodiagnostic procedures in children

Population: children undergoing neurodiagnostic procedures
CD011786.PUB2 · 8 questions
OutcomeEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Proportion of children who successfully completed neurodiagnostic procedure without interruption by the child awakening
Chloral hydrate oral (100 mg/kg or 75 mg/kg) vs midazolam (intranasal 0.2 mg/kg or oral 0.5 mg/kg)
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Proportion of children who required a further dose of either the same sedative agent or the addition of a different sedative agent
Chloral hydrate oral (100 mg/kg or 75 mg/kg) vs midazolam (intranasal 0.2 mg/kg or oral 0.5 mg/kg)
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Time to adequate sedation (minutes or as measured by specific validated scales such as the Ramsay Sedation Score)
Chloral hydrate oral (100 mg/kg or 75 mg/kg) vs midazolam (intranasal 0.2 mg/kg or oral 0.5 mg/kg)
no estimate extracted1 study · 60 participantsModerate
Downgraded: imprecision, inconsistency
Proportion of children with inadequate level of sedation (Ramsay score below 4)
Chloral hydrate oral (100 mg/kg or 75 mg/kg) vs midazolam (intranasal 0.2 mg/kg or oral 0.5 mg/kg)
RR 0.11 [0.03, 0.44]1 study · 60 participantsModerate
Downgraded: imprecision, inconsistency
Proportion of children who had sedation failure after 1 dose of sedative agent
Chloral hydrate oral (100 mg/kg or 75 mg/kg) vs midazolam (intranasal 0.2 mg/kg or oral 0.5 mg/kg)
RR 0.17 [0.02, 1.12]1 study · 33 participantsLow
Downgraded: imprecision
Sedation duration (minutes)
Chloral hydrate oral (100 mg/kg or 75 mg/kg) vs midazolam (intranasal 0.2 mg/kg or oral 0.5 mg/kg)
no estimate extracted1 study · 33 participantsLow
Downgraded: imprecision
EEG sedative‐induced artefact
Chloral hydrate oral (100 mg/kg or 75 mg/kg) vs midazolam (intranasal 0.2 mg/kg or oral 0.5 mg/kg)
RR 0.58 [0.44, 0.76]1 study · 198 participantsHigh
Number of children with clinical adverse events (any)
Chloral hydrate oral (100 mg/kg or 75 mg/kg) vs midazolam (intranasal 0.2 mg/kg or oral 0.5 mg/kg)
RR 0.2 [0.01, 4.2]1 study · 198 participantsLow
Downgraded: imprecision

Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg) compared to melatonin oral as sedating agents for neurodiagnostic procedures in children

Population: children undergoing neurodiagnostic procedures
CD011786.PUB2 · 6 questions
OutcomeEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Proportion of children who successfully completed neurodiagnostic procedure without interruption by the child awakening
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg) vs melatonin oral
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Proportion of children who required a further dose of either the same sedative agent or the addition of a different sedative agent
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg) vs melatonin oral
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Time to adequate sedation (minutes or as measured by specific validated scales such as the Ramsay Sedation Score)
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg) vs melatonin oral
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Proportion of children who had sedation failure or inadequate level of sedation
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg) vs melatonin oral
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
EEG sedative‐induced artefact
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg) vs melatonin oral
RR 0.33 [0.14, 0.82]1 study · 348 participantsLow
Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision
Number of children with clinical adverse events (any)
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg) vs melatonin oral
RR 1 [0.25, 3.93]1 study · 348 participantsLow
Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision

Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg + 50 mg/kg) compared to hydroxyzine hydrochloride oral (1 mg/kg + 1 mg/kg) as sedating agents for neurodiagnostic procedures in children

Population: children undergoing neurodiagnostic procedures
CD011786.PUB2 · 7 questions
OutcomeEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Proportion of children who successfully completed neurodiagnostic procedure without interruption by the child awakening
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg + 50 mg/kg) vs hydroxyzine hydrochloride oral (1 mg/kg + 1 mg/kg)
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Proportion of children who required a further dose of either the same sedative agent or the addition of a different sedative agent
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg + 50 mg/kg) vs hydroxyzine hydrochloride oral (1 mg/kg + 1 mg/kg)
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
TIme to adequate sedation (minutes or as measured by specific validated scales such as the Ramsay Sedation Score)
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg + 50 mg/kg) vs hydroxyzine hydrochloride oral (1 mg/kg + 1 mg/kg)
no estimate extracted1 study · 282 participantsModerate
Downgraded: risk of bias
Proportion of children who had sedation failure or inadequate level of sedation
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg + 50 mg/kg) vs hydroxyzine hydrochloride oral (1 mg/kg + 1 mg/kg)
RR 0.33 [0.11, 1.01]1 study · 282 participantsLow
Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision
Sedation duration (minutes)
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg + 50 mg/kg) vs hydroxyzine hydrochloride oral (1 mg/kg + 1 mg/kg)
no estimate extracted1 study · 282 participantsModerate
Downgraded: risk of bias
Number of children with clinical adverse event: behavioural change
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg + 50 mg/kg) vs hydroxyzine hydrochloride oral (1 mg/kg + 1 mg/kg)
RR 1.17 [0.4, 3.38]1 study · 282 participantsLow
Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision
Number of children with clinical adverse event: nausea or vomiting
Chloral hydrate oral (50 mg/kg + 50 mg/kg) vs hydroxyzine hydrochloride oral (1 mg/kg + 1 mg/kg)
RR 1.25 [0.34, 4.56]1 study · 282 participantsLow
Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision

Chloral hydrate oral (70 mg/kg) compared to promethazine oral (1 mg/kg) as sedating agents for neurodiagnostic procedures in children

Population: children undergoing neurodiagnostic procedures
CD011786.PUB2 · 7 questions
OutcomeEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Proportion of children who successfully completed neurodiagnostic procedure without interruption by the child awakening
Chloral hydrate oral (70 mg/kg) vs promethazine oral (1 mg/kg)
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Proportion of children who required a further dose of either the same sedative agent or the addition of a different sedative agent
Chloral hydrate oral (70 mg/kg) vs promethazine oral (1 mg/kg)
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Time to adequate sedation (minutes or as measured by specific validated scales such as the Ramsay Sedation Score)
Chloral hydrate oral (70 mg/kg) vs promethazine oral (1 mg/kg)
no estimate extracted1 study · 60 participantsModerate
Downgraded: imprecision, inconsistency
Proportion of children with inadequate level of sedation (Ramsay score below 4)
Chloral hydrate oral (70 mg/kg) vs promethazine oral (1 mg/kg)
RR 0.03 [0, 0.45]1 study · 60 participantsLow
Downgraded: imprecision
Proportion of children who had sedation failure or inadequate level of sedation
Chloral hydrate oral (70 mg/kg) vs promethazine oral (1 mg/kg)
RR 0.11 [0.01, 0.82]1 study · 60 participantsModerate
Downgraded: imprecision, inconsistency
Number of children with clinical adverse event: behavioural change
Chloral hydrate oral (70 mg/kg) vs promethazine oral (1 mg/kg)
RR 0.2 [0.01, 4]1 study · 60 participantsModerate
Downgraded: imprecision, inconsistency
Number of children with clinical adverse event: vomiting or nausea
Chloral hydrate oral (70 mg/kg) vs promethazine oral (1 mg/kg)
RR 13 [0.76, 220.96]1 study · 60 participantsLow
Downgraded: imprecision

Chloral hydrate oral (60 mg/kg) compared to music therapy as sedating agents for neurodiagnostic procedures in children

Population: children undergoing neurodiagnostic procedures
CD011786.PUB2 · 6 questions
OutcomeEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Proportion of children who successfully completed neurodiagnostic procedure without interruption by the child awakening
Chloral hydrate oral (60 mg/kg) vs music therapy
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Proportion of children who required a further dose of either the same sedative agent or the addition of a different sedative agent
Chloral hydrate oral (60 mg/kg) vs music therapy
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Time to adequate sedation (minutes or as measured by specific validated scales such as the Ramsay Sedation Score)
Chloral hydrate oral (60 mg/kg) vs music therapy
no estimate extracted1 study · 58 participantsVery low
Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision
Proportion of children who had sedation failure or inadequate level of sedation
Chloral hydrate oral (60 mg/kg) vs music therapy
RR 17 [2.37, 122.14]1 study · 58 participantsVery low
Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision
Sedation duration (minutes)
Chloral hydrate oral (60 mg/kg) vs music therapy
no estimate extracted1 study · 58 participantsVery low
Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision
Number of children with clinical adverse events (any)
Chloral hydrate oral (60 mg/kg) vs music therapy
no estimate extractedNRNo studies