Nielsen BN, Anderson BJ, Falcon L, et al. - In this study, pharmacokinetic parameter estimates of clonidine were ascertained in healthy children undergoing surgery and age‐related differences were evaluated. Furthermore, to investigate possible pharmacokinetic differences of clonidine between this group of children and a cohort with cardiac diseases. A randomized placebo‐controlled trial (The PREVENT AGITATION trial) was designed to collect blood samples for clonidine pharmacokinetic analysis in a proportion of the enrolled patients. For pharmacokinetic analysis, data form eighteen children were available (ASA I; male/female: 17/1; age: 1‐5 years; weight 8.7‐24 kg).  A pooled analysis involving data from 59 children revealed clearance of 14.4 L h⁻¹ 70 kg⁻¹ and volume of distribution of 192.6 L 70 kg⁻¹. Similar pharmacokinetic parameter estimates were noted for children undergoing general surgery and cardiac surgery given a single dose of intravenous clonidine. The data exhibited that there is no need to dose reduction in children aged 1 to < 2 years compared with those 2‐5 years, which was supported by pharmacodynamic observations.