An examination of the effects of midazolam on preoperative anxiety: Which children benefit most?

Midazolam (a benzodiazepine with amnestic and anxiolytic properties) has been used to manage the anxious pediatric patient. Although midazolam has shown good anxiolytic effects in children, there is still a sub-group of patients who do not benefit from the anxiolytic effects of this benzodizepine. There have been controversial findings as to the effects of midazolam on children¿s post-hospitalisation behaviour. While some researchers have found the use of midazolam beneficial in terms of reducing adverse behavioural changes in the post-operative, others have found an increase in these behaviours (e.g., nightmares, food rejection, anxiety) in children premedicated with midazolam. The present study will examine the anxiolytic effects of midazolam as a premedicant and its possible effects (beneficial or adverse) on children¿s behaviour during mask induction and following release from hospital. The results from this study will be beneficial in providing an objective means for medical personnel to make decisions about which children should and should not receive midazolam premedication. Ultimately, the results from this investigation will aid in providing children with a less stressful hospital experience.