Question about RSI Drugs (specifically Succinylcholine)

[Medic_Kidd]

This may be a completely ignorant question, but in class we are covering RSI drugs + other respiratory drugs. My question is, with Succinylcholine, why is the pediatric dosage higher than the adult dosage? It seems that with many of the other drugs we have covered, the pediatric dosage has been lower, understandably. So why is this one different? Any help would be greatly appreciated! :-)

Thanks again!

~Kelli

[vs-eh?]

Succinylcholine is rapidly distributed in extracellular water. Children have larger relative volume of EC fluid than adults. At birth 45% of the weight is extracellular fluid water (EFW); at age 2 months, approximately 30%; at age 6 years, 20%; and at adulthood, 16%-18%. The recommended dose of succinylcholine therefore is higher in children.

The benefit of too much SCh far outweighs the risk of an inadequately paralyzed patient.

Taken from Manual of Emergency Airway Management (2nd Ed.) - Ron Walls et al.

[Medic_Kidd]

Awesome! That makes sense now. Thank you so much for your help. It is greatly appreciated!

Take care and be safe!

~Kelli