Sedation in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

A bstract Objective: This study aims to evaluate whether sedation success rates differ between children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and those without ASD when administered the same dose of dexmedetomidine via nasal drops combined with midazolam via buccal mucosal administration. Materials and Methods: A total of 200 children scheduled for head magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) between 2023 and 2024 were included, comprising 100 children with ASD and 100 without ASD. All participants received dexmedetomidine (2 μg/kg) via nasal drops and midazolam (0.4 mg/kg) via buccal mucosal administration for sedation. Sedation-related parameters and adverse events were recorded and analyzed. Results: Both groups maintained stable vital signs, with no severe adverse reactions observed. The median duration of the MRI examination was 10 min in both groups. The median sedation onset time was 25 min in the ASD group and 20 min in the non-ASD group. However, the sedation success rates did not differ significantly between the two groups. Conclusion: The combination of dexmedetomidine (2 μg/kg) via nasal drops and midazolam (0.4 mg/kg) via buccal mucosal administration provides a safe and effective sedation protocol for children with ASD undergoing MRI.