What is the drug of choice for treating bradycardia in children?

In pediatric bradycardia, the primary goal is to restore an adequate heart rate and improve cardiac output. Atropine is the drug of choice for treating symptomatic bradycardia in children. It works by blocking the effects of the vagus nerve on the heart, thus increasing the heart rate through its action as an anticholinergic agent. This is particularly effective in cases where bradycardia is caused by increased vagal tone, such as in certain respiratory conditions or during procedures like intubation.

While epinephrine is sometimes used in more severe situations, such as in cases of cardiac arrest or when there is evidence of inadequate perfusion, it is not the first-line treatment for simple bradycardia. Similarly, adrenaline is another name for epinephrine and carries the same context. Aspirin is primarily used for antiplatelet therapy and is not indicated for bradycardia treatment. Thus, atropine stands out as the most appropriate initial pharmacological intervention for bradycardia in children.