Midazolam: Use in the Pediatric Intensive Care
Sedation is an integral component of patient care in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). There are numerous factors that contribute to anxiety and distress in critically ill children including separation from parents, unfamiliar faces, and invasive procedures. Patients can often be more effectively managed through sedation, resulting in improved patient outcomes. Benzodiazepines are commonly used for sedation in the PICU with midazolam typically being the agent of choice. This brief review will focus on midazolam and its use in the pediatric population.
Sedation is an integral component of patient care in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). There are numerous factors that contribute to anxiety and distress in critically ill children including separation from parents, unfamiliar faces, and invasive procedures. Patients can often be more effectively managed through sedation, resulting in improved patient outcomes. Benzodiazepines are commonly used for sedation in the PICU with midazolam typically being the agent of choice. This brief review will focus on midazolam and its use in the pediatric population.