Table 3 Dosages of the drugs used as a continuous infusion for analgesia and sedation with comparison of PICUs according to yearly admission volume

Fentanyl, mcg/kg/h

n = 179

n = 102

n = 77

 Starting dose, min–max

1 (1–2), 0.1–5

1 (1–1), 0.5–5

1 (1–2), 0.1–5

 Maximum dose, min–max

5 (4–7.5), 0.5–20

5 (3–5), 0.5–15

6 (5–10), 2–20

Morphine, mcg/kg/h

n = 154

n = 91

n = 63

 Starting dose, min–max

10 (10–20), 2–70

10 (10–20), 2–50

20 (10–30), 5–70

 Maximum dose, min–max

50 (40–100), 10–500

40 (30–85), 10–500

60 (40–100), 20–500

Sufentanil, mcg/kg/h

n = 56

n = 29

n = 27

 Starting dose, min–max

0.2 (0.1–0.5), 0.05–3

0.2 (0.1–0.5), 0.05–1

0.3 (0.2–0.5), 0.05–3

 Maximum dose, min–max

1 (0.5–2), 0.1–20

1 (0.5–2), 0.1–3

1 (0.6–2), 0.4–20

Midazolam, mg/kg/h

n = 192

n = 113

n = 79

 Starting dose, min–max

0.1 (0.05–0.1), 0.01–0.5

0.1 (0.06–0.1), 0.02–0.5

0.1 (0.05–0.1), 0.01–0.4

 Maximum dose, min–max

0.3 (0.25–0.5), 0.05–4

6 (0.3–0.5), 0.05–2

0.3 (0.24–0.5), 0.1–4

Ketamine, mcg/kg/min

n = 179

n = 101

n = 78

 Starting dose, min–max

10 (5–17), 0.30–33

10 (5–17), 0.30–33

10 (5–17), 0.80–33

 Maximum dose, min–max

33.3 (25–50), 3–100

33 (25–50), 3–100

33 (25–50), 3–100

Propofol, mg/kg/h

n = 158

n = 90

n = 68

 Starting dose, min–max

1 (1–2), 0.05–6

1 (1–2), 0.05–6

1 (1–2), 0.1–4.8

 Maximum dose, min–max

4 (4–5), 0.3–20

4 (4–5), 0.4–20

4 (3–5), 0.3–15

Dexmedetomidine, mcg/kg/h

n = 157

n = 94

n = 63

 Starting dose, min–max

0.3 (0.2–0.5), 0.05–1

0.3 (0.2–5), 0.05–1

0.4 (0.2–0.5), 0.1–1

 Maximum dose, min–max

1.2 (0.8–1.5), 0.3–5

1.2 (0.75–1.4), 0.5–4

1.4 (1–1.5), 0.3–5

Clonidine, mcg/kg/h

n = 99

n = 55

n = 44

 Starting dose, min–max

0.5 (0.3–0.6), 0.05–2

0.5 (0.3–0.5), 0.05–2

0.5 (0.5–1), 0.1–2

 Maximum dose, min–max

2 (2–2.4), 0.3–10

2 (2–2.75), 0.3–10

2 (2–2), 0.5–8