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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Studies have tried to compare sedation scales, however time spent with their application has not been studied. This study aimed at checking sedation level of patients admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit according to Comfort-Behavior and Ramsay scales, comparing sedation score and time spent to apply both scales.METHODS: This prospective study has involved patients aged from one day of life until 18 incomplete years, admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit, submitted or not to mechanical ventilation, who needed analgesic and/or sedative therapy and after acceptance of legal representatives. Exclusion criteria were patients under neuromuscular blockers and in process of extubation. A checklist developed by the authors was used to collect dada. Data were collected in four observations per patient (14h, 16h, 18h and 20h), in a total of 48 observations. Sample was made up of six patients.RESULTS: In 22 observations there have been high sedation levels in both scales. Moderate sedation was found in one observation for both scales. No evaluation has shown low sedation levels. Mean time using Comfort-Behavior scale was longer as compared to Ramsay scale (p=0.019). There has been no significant variation among patients and among observers.CONCLUSION: Evaluated scores had similar results; however mean time for Comfort-Behavior scale was longer than for Ramsey scale without variation among patients or among observers.