Pediatric sedation: The South American approach

Abstract

South America is comprised of 13 countries and a population of approximately 350 million people. It has an area of 6,890,000 mile 2 (17,840,000 km 2) and in 2005 its population was estimated at around 371,090,000. The languages of South America are mainly Castilian Spanish and Portuguese. A variety of social, political, and economic factors make this region very heterogeneous. In the medical field, specifically in the area of sedation, the heterogeneity continues. The diverse development of the varied region makes it possible to fi nd profound backwardness adjacent to technological developments that are at the forefront of medicine. This incongruity is especially apparent in Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, and Peru. This chapter will explore the sedation practices within the various regions of South America.