Pharmacological Management of Behavior in Children

Abstract

This research work aims to review various drugs used for the management of behavior in children. Pharmacological management describes the use of various drugs to manage the behavior of pediatric patients undergoing dental procedures. Several types of drugs and routes of administration (e.g. oral, recta, intramuscular, intravenous etc.) have been tested to achieve this aim. The use of sedative drugs along with local anesthetics has shown to reduce anxiety and fear among children. Benzodiazepines are the most commonly used drugs for procedural sedation in dentistry and medicine. The newer high-potency benzodiazepines are preferred for most applications due to their improved therapeutic effects as well as faster onset of action. Nitrous oxide is one of the commonly used inhalation agents in dentistry. It reduces anxiety, pain, and the memory of the treatment experienced. Dexmedetomidine produces both sedation and analgesia. Ketamine is used as a sedative, analgesic, amnestic and premedication agent. Ketamine has become the most widely used sedation agent for painful procedures in pediatric patients because of its potent analgesic and amnestic effects with minimal respiratory or circulatory depression. Propofol is an intravenous agent, commonly used for induction and maintenance of anesthesia; and procedural sedation in children. Propofol administered alone, or in combination with other agents is widely used for sedation.

Keywords: Behavior management, pharmacological management, midazolam, propofol, ketamine, dexmedetomidine

Cite this Article

ReshiIram Shafi, Mousumi Goswami, Tanu Nangia, Mahpara Shafi, Anam Mushtaq. Pharmacological Management of Behavior in Children. Research & Reviews: A Journal of Dentistry. 2020; 11(1): 8–17p.