Table 1.
Baseline characteristics of children in the protocol group and those in the usual care group
| Protocol group (n = 19) | Usual care group (n = 11) | p | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age (year) | 1.57 (0.81–4.91) | 1.73 (0.53–5.44) | 0.966 |
| Male, n (%) | 12 (63.2) | 5 (45.5) | 0.346 |
| Body weight (kg) | 10 (7–14) | 8.3 (5.7–15.6) | 0.651 |
| Comorbidities, n (%) | 0.590 | ||
| None | 4 (21.1) | 2 (18.2) | |
| Cardiology | 4 (21.1) | 1 (9.1) | |
| Oncology | 3 (15.8) | 1 (9.1) | |
| Pulmonology | 2 (10.5) | 2 (18.2) | |
| Others | 6 (31.7) | 5 (45.5) | |
| Reasons for PICU admission, n (%) | 0.424 | ||
| Postoperative | 6 (31.6) | 1 (18.2) | |
| Emergency condition | 13 (68.4) | 9 (81.8) | |
| PRISM III | 4 (0–7) | 7 (3–11) | 0.038 |
| MV days prior to weaning | 10 (8–16.5) | 13 (7.5–32.75) | 0.324 |
| ICU days prior to weaning | 10 (8–17) | 11 (8–16) | 0. 619 |
| High risk of IWS, n (%) | 11 (57.9) | 6 (54.5) | 0.858 |
| Cumulative doses prior enrolment | |||
| Fentanyl (μg/kg) | 521.9 (267.1–715.3) | 470.0 (223.6–748.0) | 0.880 |
| Midazolam (mg/kg) | 17.0 (11.1–53.3) | 29.1 (13.3–41.5) | 0.726 |
| Dexmedetomidine (μg/kg) | 48.7 (30.6–103.2) | 129.8 (18.2–216.8) | 0.328 |
Values are median (IQR); PRISM III, The Pediatric Risk of Mortality 3; MV, mechanical ventilation; ICU, intensive care unit; IWS, iatrogenic withdrawal syndrome