Age
Data presented in Figure 2 demonstrate a significant quadratic
relationship between peak plasma level and age (p=0.00973). Ages
<18months have higher peak plasma lidocaine levels after
airway topicalisation. This relationship peaks at 18 months and then
regresses. This is confirmed in the linear regression of peak plasma
against age. Both age and age2 (p=0.0672) are
statistically significantly related to peak plasma lidocaine levels.
Median peak plasma lidocaine levels are comparable across the age groups
of <1 year, 1-3 years and >3years. However the
<1 year age group demonstrates the widest distribution range
of peak plasma lidocaine levels. In the age groups of 1-3 years and
>3 years there are outliers of peak plasma lidocaine
concentrations exceeding the recommended toxic levels of 5000ng/ml.
There were no incidences of related clinical adverse effects.