Abstract
Background: Sedation is a necessary component in the care of all critically ill patients, especially those requiring mechanical ventilation to prevent asynchronous ventilation, improve oxygenation, and prevent inadvertent extubation.
Patients and Methods: Data of 100 children (1m-18y) age receiving mechanical ventilation in pediatric intensive care unit of Assiut University Children Hospital during period of six months from April 2016 to October 2016 is collected and analyzed and is compared with the standard guidelines according to American Association of Critical Care (2012) as a reference standard in sedation in mechanically ventilated child.
Results: Midazolam is the most common drug used by (70%) of cases. Monitoring of sedation by sedation assessment scale (simplified COMFORT scale) done only for (30%) of cases.
Conclusion: We need to stick with the international guidelines as a reference standard to facilitate the correct selection of drugs, their appropriate administration and careful monitoring, improve the quality of sedation and avoid their adverse effects.