COMPARISON OF PSYCHOMOTOR FUNCTIONS AND SEDATION FOLLOWING PREMEDICATION WITH ORAL DIAZEPAM AND CLONIDINE IN CHILDREN

In a prospective, double-blind, controlled, randomized study, the psyc homotor functions and sedation were assessed after premedication with diazepam and clonidine in children. Forty children in the age-group of 5-8 years, undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia were studied. Twenty children(group 1) received oral clonidine 4 mu g/kg, a nd 20 children (group 2) received oral diazepam 0.2 mg/kg, 120 minutes before induction of anesthesia. Sedation and psychomotor functions we re assessed in both groups, before and after 60-90 minutes of administ ration of premedication. The results of the study showed that mean sed ation score in group 1 was 8 +/- 1.07, and 9 +/- 0.64 in group 2. On i ntergroup comparison the sedation was found to be comparatively better in group 2 than group 1 (p < 0.05). The performance of psychomotor fu nctions decreased after premedication in both the groups as compared t o that before premedication (p < 0.05). The psychomotor functions were depressed more in diazepam group than in the clonidine group (p < 0.0 5). Thus, it is concluded that clonidine produces good sedation and ca uses less effect on psychomotor functions and therefore can be used fo r premedication in children.