Pharmacologic Sedation-Related Respiratory Complications in Pediatric Dentistry: A Decade-Long Scoping Review
Abstract
Context: Procedural sedation is widely used in pediatric dentistry to facilitate dental care in uncooperative children. From a pharmacological perspective, sedative agents differ substantially in their mechanisms of action, routes of administration, and safety profiles. Among the reported adverse effects, respiratory complications remain the most clinically significant and potentially life-threatening. Despite extensive clinical use, a comprehensive synthesis of respiratory adverse events (RAEs) associated with commonly used sedative drugs in pediatric dental settings is lacking. This scoping review aimed to map the existing evidence on respiratory complications associated with pharmacological sedation in pediatric dentistry.
Evidence acquisition: A scoping review was conducted in accordance with established methodological frameworks. Electronic databases were systematically searched for studies reporting the use of sedative or anesthetic agents in pediatric dental procedures. Eligible studies included clinical trials, cohort studies, case series, and retrospective analyses that documented respiratory outcomes. Data were extracted on patient characteristics, sedative agents and combinations, dosages, routes of administration, monitoring methods, and reported respiratory complications.
Results: The included studies showed substantial variability in sedation protocols. The most frequently reported agents were benzodiazepines, chloral hydrate, ketamine, propofol,…
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