Suppression of brainstem reflexes in barbiturate coma

Arch Dis Child. 1993 Jul;69(1):151-2. doi: 10.1136/adc.69.1.151.

Abstract

Brainstem reflexes were examined in 23 children treated with thiopentone infusion and correlated with serum thiopentone concentrations. The results suggest that if all brainstem reflexes are lost with a serum thiopentone concentration less than 40 mg/l, it is unlikely to be due to the thiopentone alone. Other causes including brain death need to be considered.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Brain Death / diagnosis
  • Brain Death / physiopathology
  • Brain Stem / drug effects
  • Brain Stem / physiopathology*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Coma / chemically induced*
  • Coma / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Reflex / drug effects*
  • Thiopental / pharmacology*
  • Thiopental / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Thiopental