NEUROMUSCULAR-TRANSMISSION AND ITS PHARMACOLOGICAL BLOCKADE .4. USE OF RELAXANTS IN PEDIATRIC AND ELDERLY PATIENTS, IN OBSTETRICS, AND IN THE INTENSIVE-CARE UNIT

The pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic characteristics of the non-dep olarizing muscle relaxants are dependent on age. Thus differences are found between paediatric patients, adults, and elderly patients. Muscl e relaxants cross the placenta and thus may cause problems in the fetu s. Many of the potential adverse effects of relaxant administration ar e seen more pronounced in intensive care patients. Prolonged effects a nd problems in weaning patients from the ventilator are observed when muscle relaxants are used in such patients, Critical illness neuropath y is a syndrome different from relaxant induced neuromyopathy, but may be enhanced by relaxant administration.