Contrary to what early studies conducted in the 1970s found, ketamine, a drug commonly used in anesthesia, is helpful in reducing intracranial pressure in children with traumatic brain injuries, a new study says.
Dr. Michael Wolf, director of neurocritical care at Monroe Carrell Junior Children’s Hospital, examined the effects of ketamine on 33 patients admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit for severe injuries.
According to the “Medical Express” website, the ages of the affected children ranged from one month to 16 years, and 22 of them received ketamine, and 18 doses of the drug were given to 11 patients.
“We found that ketamine does not raise intracranial pressure, and in some cases it may even lower it,” Wolf said.
He explained: “Children with severe brain injury are at risk of dying or developing long-term neurological impairment, such as difficulty walking and speaking. And in the critical days following their injury, our focus is on minimizing the ongoing damage to their brains, with a focus on preventing and treating raised intracranial pressure.”
“Despite decades of research, our treatment options remain limited to a handful of drugs and technologies,” Wolf added. “This study may help open the door to a new use for an old drug that may help us continue to improve our approach to caring for children at risk.”
Because this study is preliminary, larger numbers of patients are needed before ketamine can be approved as a treatment for raised intracranial pressure in severely injured children.
