Efficiency of Melatonin as Compared to Pentobarbital for Audiometry Brainstem Response in Children With Associated...

Outpatient pediatric audiometry brainstem response (ABR) uses various techniques (no drug, hydroxyzine, pentobarbital, melatonin). The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of melatonin as compared to pentobarbital in children with associated disorders.

This was a retrospective study that took place in a tertiary care center. Eighty-three children (34 girls and 49 boys) had performed ABR under pentobarbital (GPent) or melatonin (GMel) between 2013 and 2014 and were included. All children had associated neurological or behavioral disorders or had failed a previous ABR using another technique. Success rate, defined as completed binaural investigation, delay, and duration of sleep (minutes), as well as side effects, were compared between GPent and GMel.

There were 56 patients in GMel and 27 in GPent, with a mean age at test of 3 years and 10 months (1-13 years) and 4 years and 1 month (1-14.5 years), respectively. Success rate was 76.8% and 88.8%, respectively (p > .05), sleep duration was 23 and 153 min (p < .0001), and mean delay was 35 and 54 min. No side effects have been reported.

Melatonin is a drug widely used, particularly for electroencephalogram in children. Sleep duration allowed a success rate that was comparable to pentobarbital. Melatonin seems to be an efficient alternative to pentobarbital for pediatric ABR.