USE OF METHOHEXITAL FOR ELECTIVE INTUBATION IN NEONATES

The effectiveness and safety of a short acting barbiturate, methohexit al, was assessed for its use at the time of elective intubation in 18 newborn infants with severe respiratory or cardiac conditions. Evaluat ion included the speed of action and the degree of relaxation, sedatio n, and sleep in the first five minutes after administration. All newbo rn infants were intubated in a fully relaxed and somnolent state. In m ost infants recovery was completed within five minutes. A slight to mo derate oxygen saturation drop was observed during the period of intuba tion, especially in patients with cyanotic heart disease. The side eff ects of the drug were twitching and a slight drop in blood pressure. I n conclusion, methohexital seems to be a useful drug for short term an aesthesia in neonates, during which, short procedures like elective in tubation can be safely performed.