Sedative Choice and Neurocognitive Outcomes After Critical Illness in Early Childhood

Is sedative choice during critical illness in early childhood associated with long-term neurocognitive function?In this cohort study of 256 children tested approximately 5 years after receiving intensive care sedation for acute respiratory failure, participant mean estimated IQ score was not significantly different from the general population test mean. Controlling for socioeconomic status score, severity of illness on pediatric intensive care unit admission, and duration of mechanical ventilation, estimated IQ was lower in children who received an opioid- and benzodiazepine-only strategy compared with those who received a strategy that included dexmedetomidine.In this study, sedation choice during critical illness in early childhood was associated with long-term neurocognitive function, with an opioid- and benzodiazepine-only strategy associated with a lower estimated IQ.

Corresponding Author: Martha A. Q. Curley, RN, PhD, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Claire M. Fagin Hall, 418 Curie Blvd, Ste 425, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4217 (curley@upenn.edu).

Link to the article in your story

We encourage you to link out to this article in your story using the link below. It includes an access token that will give free access to the article for your readers up to one year after publication. (The link will be live after the article publishes and embargo is lifted.)

Please see the article for additional information, including full author list, author contributions and affiliations, conflict of interest and financial disclosures, and funding and support.

Need more information? Contact us.