Optimized fasting times beneficial in pediatric anesthesia

(HealthDay)—For children younger than 36 months of age, introduction of an optimized preoperative fasting management (OPT) during induction of anesthesia can improve the metabolic and hemodynamic condition, according to a study published online June 13 in Pediatric Anesthesia.

Nils Dennhardt, from Hannover Medical School in Germany, and colleagues examined the effect of OPT during induction of anesthesia in children. Fifty children aged 0 to 36 months scheduled for elective surgery with OPT were compared with 50 weight-, age-, and height-matched peers studied before optimizing preoperative fasting time (OLD).

The researchers found that, compared with children in the OLD group, children with OPT had significantly lower mean fasting time, deviation from guideline, ketone bodies, and incidence of hypotension, and significantly higher mean arterial blood pressure after induction. There was no significant between-group difference in glucose, lactate, bicarbonate, base excess, and anion gap.

"Optimized fasting times improve the metabolic and hemodynamic condition during induction of anesthesia in children younger than 36 months of age," the authors write.