DOSE-RESPONSE AND TIME-COURSE OF EFFECT OF ROCURONIUM BROMIDE IN PEDIATRIC-PATIENTS

We determined dose-response curves and spontaneous recovery of neuromu scular function following a single ED(95) dose of rocuronium in 10 inf ants (1-11 months old), 20 children (2-12 years old) and 20 adults (20 -40 years old) during nitrous oxide-oxygen-thiopentone-alfentanil anae sthesia. Neuromuscular block was recorded as adductor pollicis EMG fol lowing a supramaximal train-of-four ulnar nerve stimuli at 10 s interv als. ED(95) values were significantly less for infants than for childr en or adults (255 +/- 62, 402 +/- 68 and 350 +/- 78 mu g kg(-1), respe ctively, P = 0.0001). Time-course of recovery from an average 94% neur omuscular block was similar in all age groups with a 25-75% recovery t ime of 6.5 +/- 1.8, 5.7 +/- 1.8 and 6.7 +/- 1.6 min in infants, childr en and adults, respectively. Thus, rocuronium is an intermediate-actin g muscle relaxant in all age groups.