The Pharmacokinetics of Dexmedetomidine in Children

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 3 - 11.9 years

  • 2 age groups: 3.0 - 5.9 years, 6.0 - 11.9 years
• Patients will be equally distributed within each age group

• Meets criteria to receive dexmedetomidine sedation for MRI:

  • Active, uncontrolled gastroesophageal reflux - an aspiration risk
  • Active, uncontrolled vomiting - an aspiration risk
  • Current (or within past 3 months) history of apnea requiring an apnea monitor
  • Active, current respiratory issues that are different from the baseline status (pneumonia,exacerbation of asthma, bronchiolitis, respiratory syncytial virus)
  • Unstable cardiac status (life threatening arrhythmias, abnormal cardiac anatomy,significant cardiac dysfunction)
  • Craniofacial anomaly, which could make it difficult to effectively establish a mask airway for positive pressure ventilation if needed
  • Current use of digoxin
  • Moya Moya Disease
  • New-onset stroke
  • Provide written consent to take part in the research study

Exclusion Criteria:

• Do not meet established sedation criteria
• History of allergy, intolerance, or reaction to dexmedetomidine or hypersensitivity
• Previous diagnosis of hepatic insufficiency/failure or a serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase level > 2 times the normal limit determined by Children's Hospital Boston (TCH)
• Current diagnosis of renal insufficiency/failure or a current serum creatinine level > 1.5 times the normal limit determined by TCH
• Have received digoxin in the past (no time limit)
• Received phenobarbital, clonidine or valproic acid within 30 days
• Current, repaired or risk of Moya-Moya disease
• Recent stroke (cerebrovascular accident) within past 6 months
• Uncontrolled hypertension
• Concomitant use of beta antagonist, or calcium channel blocker
• Participated in a clinical investigation within the past three months