DEEP SEDATION IN PAEDIATRIC ONCOLOGY: ATTITUDES OF CHILDREN WITH LEUKAEMIA AND OF THEIR PARENTS

Key words: Propofol, Deep sedation, Psychological impact, Leukaemia, Children, Painful procedure

Painful procedures are a major source of distress for children with leukaemia and for their parents. Procedural sedation, and possibly deep sedation, is recommended for these patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the attitudes of patients with leukaemia and of their parents towards repeated deep sedations with propofol. A questionnaire was proposed to 23 children affected by leukaemia and to their parents. Another questionnaire (n=27) was proposed to an historical group of children, who were treated for leukaemia and did not receive procedural sedation. The level of anxiety and fear in children receiving sedation was lower than in children of historical group. Sedation related distress was self-reported by 17% of children and was evident from behavioural observation in 16% of children. In these selected cases the addition of an oral premedication or behavioural approach could be considered.