Evaluation of morphine as compared to meperidine when administered to the moderately anxious pediatric dental patient.

This investigation evaluated two narcotic regimens used to sedate pediatric dental patients who previously demonstrated uncooperative behavior. One consisted of submucosal morphine (0.15 mg/kg), and the other, oral meperidine (2.2 mg/kg); both were administered in combination with oral promethazine (1.1 mg/kg). Patients 2-7 years old were sedated with one of the two regimens and videotaped during dental treatment. If sedation was successful, the child received the other regimen at the next appointment, resulting in a total of 42 sedations in 29 children. Later, patient behavior was rated blindly by two independent observers viewing tapes of specific events during dental treatment. Fourteen of 23 (61%) patients receiving morphine and 11 of 19 (58%) patients receiving meperidine were sedated successfully. Vital signs, including pulse, respirations, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation were monitored and remained stable for both groups. ANOVA for repeated measures showed no significant differences for any vital sign in either group across time. Wilcoxon's signed rank test revealed significant improvement for the patients successfully treated in both groups when presedation behavior was compared with behavior during the events of rubber dam application, operative, restorative treatment, and exit (meperidine, P < 0.005 and morphine, P < 0.001). Improvement also was seen in the meperidine group for the event of local anesthesia (P < 0.01). Chi-square analysis showed no statistically significant differences in effectiveness or safety between the two sedative regimens.