Table 1 The general characteristics of the enrolled studies

Richard A et al.[18]

1993

Dental extraction

17–62 mo, Not mentioned

20 (Not mentioned):

1. Midazolam group: 10

2. Ketamine group: 10

0.4 mg/kg

3 mg/kg

10-points scale

I, III, V(a)

Kazemi AP et al.[19]

2005

Elective surgery

2–5 yr, ASA I-II

90 (Not mentioned):

1. Midazolam group: 50

2. Ketamine group: 40

0.2 mg/kg

5 mg/kg

4-points scale

I

Gharde P et al.[13]

2006

Elective corrective surgical procedure

1–10 yr, Not mentioned

40 (15/25):

1. Midazolam group: 20

2. Ketamine group: 20

0.2 mg/kg

10 mg/kg

4-points scale

I

Gautam SN et al.[20]

2007

Elective surgery

1–6 yr, ASA I-II

50 (Not mentioned):

1. Midazolam group: 25

2. Ketamine group: 25

0.2 mg/kg

5 mg/kg

4-points scale

I

Hosseini Jahromi SA et al.[14]

2012

Elective surgery

2–8 yr, ASA I

60 (32/28):

1. Midazolam group: 30

2. Ketamine group: 30

0.2 mg/kg

3 mg/kg

6-points scale

I

Mostafa G et al.[21]

2013

Bone marrow biopsy and aspirate

2–8 yr, ASA II

64 (Not mentioned)

1. Midazolam group: 32

2. Ketamine group: 32

0.2 mg/kg

5 mg/kg

4-points scale

I, IV

Surendar MN et al.[22]

2014

Dental treatment

4–14 yr, ASA I

42 (Not mentioned)

1. Midazolam group: 21

2. Ketamine group: 21

0.2 mg/kg

5 mg/kg

5-points scale

I, II, III, IV

Narendra PL et al.[23]

2015

Various surgical procedures

1–10 yr, ASA II

100 (Not mentioned)

1. Midazolam group: 50

2. Ketamine group: 50

0.2 mg/kg

5 mg/kg

5-points scale

I, II, V(b,c)

Fei et al.[24]

2017

Surgery for pediatric tumors

1–3 yr, ASA I-II

60 (23/37):

1. Midazolam group: 30

2. Ketamine group: 30

0.2 mg/kg

5 mg/kg

4-points scale

I, III, IV

Akçay ME et al.[25]

2018

Ear nose throat surgical procedures

1–10 yr, ASA I-II

40 (14/26):

1. Midazolam group: 20

2. Ketamine group: 20

0.2 mg/kg

5 mg/kg

6-points scale

I, IV

Milesi C et al.[15]

2018

Non-emergent endotracheal intubation

24–36 weeks, Not mentioned

60 (25/35):

1. Midazolam group: 27

2. Ketamine group: 33

0.2 mg/kg

2 mg/kg

4-points scale comprises three domains

I, II, IV

Alp H et al.[26]

2019

Transthoracic echocardiography

9–36 mo, Not mentioned

139 (Not mentioned):

1. Midazolam group: 70

2. Ketamine group:69

0.2 mg/kg

4 mg/kg

4-points scale

I, IV, V(b,c)

Jafarnejad S et al.[27]

2020

Obtaining peripheral Intravenous (IV) line in emergency care

2–8 yr, ASA I-II

70 (35/35):

1. Midazolam group: 35

2. Ketamine group: 35

0.2 mg/kg

5 mg/kg

Observational Scale of Behavioral Distress-Revised (zero to 23.5)

I, IV

Khoshrang H et al.[28]

2021

Urologic elective surgeries

2–6 yr, ASA I-II

71 (Not mentioned):

1. Midazolam group: 35

2. Ketamine group: 36

0.5 mg/kg

5 mg/kg

5-points scale

I, III, V(b,c)

Verma I et al.[29]

2021

Elective cardiac surgery

1–12 yr, ASA II- III

60 (23/37): 1. Midazolam group: 30

2. Ketamine group: 30

0.2 mg/kg

5 mg/kg

5-points scale

I, IV, V(b)

Abusinna RG et al.[30]

2022

minor elective surgical procedures

2–9 yr, ASA I-II

100 (52/48):

1. Midazolam group: 50

2. Ketamine group: 50

0.2 mg/kg

2 mg/kg

6-points scale

I, II, IV