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Assessing Temperament as a Predictor of Oral Sedation Success Using the Children's Behavior Questionnaire Short Form
Katherine J Lane1, Travis M Nelson2, Sarat Thikkurissy3
1Department of Pediatric Dentistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Wa., USA. katlanedmd@gmail.com.
Insights
Child temperament, specifically high impulsivity, may predict disruptive behavior during oral sedation. This finding could inform strategies for managing pediatric sedation success.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Anesthesiology
- Child Psychology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Oral sedation is frequently used in pediatric dentistry.
- Predicting behavior during sedation is crucial for successful treatment.
- Temperament may influence a child's response to sedation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between child temperament and oral sedation success.
- To identify specific temperament traits linked to sedation outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Caregivers completed the Children's Behavior Questionnaire Short Form (CBQ-SF).
- Behavior and outcomes during oral sedation were assessed using the Houpt Behavior Rating Scale.
- Children aged 36-95 months (ASA I-II) undergoing midazolam, meperidine, and hydroxyzine sedation were included.
Main Results:
- The study included 61 child-caregiver dyads, with an 87% overall sedation success rate.
- High impulsivity scores were significantly associated with disruptive behavior during sedation (P=.04).
- No significant differences in sedation failure or disruptive behavior were found based on age, sex, or ASA status.
Conclusions:
- Child impulsivity may be a key factor influencing behavior during oral sedation.
- Understanding temperament could help predict and manage challenging sedation cases in children.
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to investigate whether temperament, as measured by the Children's Behavior Questionnaire Short Form (CBQ-SF), was associated with success in oral sedation.
Methods:
Child-caregiver dyads were enrolled from patients presenting for midazolam, meperidine, and hydroxyzine oral sedation. Children between 36 and 95 months of age, American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) classification I or II, with diagnostic radiographs, whose parents believed he/she would swallow oral medications, were enrolled. To assess child temperament, caregivers completed the CBQ-SF. Behavior during sedation and overall sedation results were recorded using the Houpt Behavior Rating Scale. Failure was defined by Houpt overall ratings of fair or worse. The presence of disruptive behavior was also quantified.
Results:
The sample population consisted of 61 patient-caregiver dyads. The overall sedation success rate was 87 percent (N equals 53). Disruptive behavior was present during 28 percent (N equals 17) of total cases. There was not a significant difference in failure rate or presence of disruptive behavior by age, sex, ASA status, insurance status, reason for sedation, or type of treatment provided. High impulsivity scores were significantly associated with disruptive behavior (P=.04).
Conclusions:
Impulsivity may be a determinant of a child's behavior during sedation.
