The aim of this study was to develop a population pharmacokinetic model of sufentanil and to assess the influence of covariates in critically ill children admitted to pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). After institutional approval 41 children were enrolled into the study. Blood samples for PK assessment were collected from routinely placed arterial catheters, during and after discontinuation of infusion. Population nonlinear mixed-effect modeling was performed using NONMEM. A two-compartment model described sufentanil PK sufficiently. Typical values of the central and peripheral volume of distribution, and the metabolic and inter-compartmental clearance for a theoretical patient of 70 kg weight were VC  = 7.90 l, VT  = 481 l, Cl = 45.3 l/hr, and Q = 38.3 l/hr.

 

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