To study the effect of chloral hydrate oral premedication on sedation and arterial oxygen saturation in noncyanotic and cyanotic congenital heart disease children.

18 noncyanotic congenital heart disease patients and 18 cyanotic congenital heart disease patients scheduled for cardiac surgery were premedicated orally with chloral hydrate 50 mg/kg. Arterial oxygen saturations were measured with pulse oximeter before and after oral premedication and sedation effects evaluated.

In noncyanotic group oxygen saturation decreased from 98.7±0.95% (mean±?SD) before premedication to 97.8±1.15% after premedication with statistical significance but without meaning. 16 of the 18 patients (89%) were adequately sedated without airway obstructions. In cyanotic group oxygen saturation increased with statistical insignificance from 73.5±10.9% before premedication to 74.0±13.9% after premedication. 15 of the 18 patients(83%) were adequately sedated. Effects on oxygen saturation in cyanotic group patients were quite variable with 3 of the patients revealing more than 10% decrease in oxygen saturation.

Chloral hydrate has a good sedative effects on congenital heart disease children but its effects on oxygen saturation were variable and close monitoring followed by oxygen administration is recommended in cyanotic heart patients.