Sedation of Children undergoing Magnetic Resonance Imaging in a Resource Poor Setting using low doses of Ketamine and Diazepam

We aimed to describe the successful use of low doses ketamine hydrochloride with diazepam premedication sedate children ages between 3days five years who presented at three diagnostic centres in Port Harcourt Nigeria for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) within a five-year period. This was done an environment no MRI compatible anaesthetic machine and monitoring by anaesthetist suites. The average age ten months mean dose 18mg used. duration procedures 44.92 minutes constant presence required throughout monitoring. Two incidences self-limiting laryngospasm occurred safe outcome all patients. Children can be satisfactorily sedated some less than ideal situations.