Evaluation of Sigmoidal Maturation and Allometric Models: Prediction of Propofol Clearance in Neonates and Infants

The main objectives of this report are to predict propofol clearance in neonates and infants by a maturation model that includes age and weight and to compare the predictive performance of propofol maturation model with a simple allometric model (clearance vs. body weight). Age, weight, and propofol clearance data were obtained from the literature. A maturation model for propofol was developed using data from neonates, toddlers, children, adolescents, and adults (N = 71). The allometric model was developed using the same data as the maturation model. The predicted clearance of propofol in an individual neonate or infant from these models was compared with the observed clearance (16 neonates and 22 infants) in that individual neonate or infant. The prediction of propofol clearance in most of the individual neonates or infants by both maturation and allometric models was poor. However, the mean predicted propofol clearance in the neonates by both models was comparable with the observed clearance, but the mean predicted propofol clearance in the infants was underpredicted by both models. The propofol maturation and simple allometric model performed poorly for the prediction of propofol clearance in individual neonate and infant.