Systematic Review of Pediatric Ketamine in Emergency Department Procedural Sedation: Frequency and Predictors of Adverse Events.

In 30 seconds

This systematic review analyzed 20 studies involving 58,752 children to assess the frequency of adverse events associated with intravenous ketamine sedation in pediatric emergency departments. The findings revealed a pooled frequency of serious adverse events at 0.33%, with no deaths or permanent outcomes reported. The study highlights the overall safety of ketamine for procedural sedation in this population.

Key findings

• Pooled frequency of serious adverse events was 0.33%.
• Sentinel outcomes occurred in 0.0041% of sedation encounters.
• Age ≥10 years, upper respiratory infection, and coadministered opioids were identified as predictors of serious adverse events.
• No deaths or permanent adverse outcomes were reported.

Why it matters

Understanding the safety profile of ketamine in pediatric procedural sedation is crucial for clinicians, as it informs risk assessment and management strategies in emergency settings. The low incidence of serious adverse events supports its use in children.