Thiopental Requirements for Induction of Anesthesia in Neonates and in Infants One to Six Months of Age

Abstract

The authors determined the thiopental dose needed for satisfactory induction in ten neonates, 0-14 days of age, and 20 infants, 1-6 months of age. A single iv bolus of thiopental was given. Thirty seconds after injection the anesthesia mask was applied and the response was observed during the following 30 s while the patient breathed oxygen. Induction was considered satisfactory if there were no gross movements or coughing. The dose required for satisfactory induction in 50% of patients, ED50 (+/- SE), was 3.4 +/- 0.2 mg/kg in neonates and 6.3 +/- 0.7 mg/kg in infants (P less than 0.001). It is concluded that the thiopental dose needed for satisfactory induction is less in neonates than in infants.