Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026
Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Childhood obesity: a challenge for the anaesthetist?
H L Smith1, D J Meldrum, L J Brennan
1Department of Anaesthesia, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, Department of Anaesthesia, Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust, IPSWICH, UK.
Insights
Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic, impacting respiratory function. Anesthetic management for obese children requires significant concern due to a higher risk of critical incidents, similar to adults.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Anesthesiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Childhood obesity incidence is increasing globally, reaching epidemic levels.
- Standardized definitions for childhood obesity have been lacking, hindering comparative studies.
- Obese children exhibit fewer comorbidities than obese adults, with respiratory physiology being most affected.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the challenges and risks associated with the anesthetic management of obese children.
- To emphasize the need for increased vigilance during anesthesia for pediatric patients with obesity.
- To compare anesthetic risks in obese children versus obese adults.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on anesthetic management in obese children and adults.
- Analysis of reported critical incidents during anesthesia in pediatric obesity.
- Assessment of respiratory physiological changes in relation to obesity levels in children.
Main Results:
- Limited data exists on anesthetic management for obese children compared to adults.
- Obese children may have a higher likelihood of critical incidents during anesthesia.
- Respiratory compromise is a key concern, escalating with higher body mass index.
Conclusions:
- Anesthetic management for obese children warrants significant concern, comparable to obese adults.
- Increased body mass index in children correlates with heightened anesthetic risks.
- Further research is needed to establish standardized anesthetic protocols for pediatric obesity.
Abstract:
The definition of childhood obesity has not been standardized in the past, making studies difficult to compare. In spite of this, the increase in the incidence of childhood obesity is evident and has now reached epidemic proportions. Obese children experience few of the medical complications seen in obese adults. Respiratory physiology appears to be most affected, the degree of which is determined by the level of obesity. Although there is a considerable amount of information on the anaesthetic management of the obese adult, very little has been written concerning the obese child. There is less pathology in the obese child when compared with the adult but some evidence shows a higher likelihood of a critical incident occurring when anaesthetizing such children. This shows that we need to be as worried about anaesthetizing the obese child as we are for the obese adult. This concern should increase with increasing body mass index.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Obesity
01:26Esophageal Strictures-II: Clinical Features and Management
Healthcare providers should gather a comprehensive medical history and conduct a physical examination for diagnosis. If esophageal stricture is...
01:26Endoscopic Procedures IV: Sigmoidoscopy and Laproscopy
Sigmoidoscopy
Sigmoidoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that uses a flexible sigmoidoscope equipped with a light source and camera to examine the rectum and sigmoid colon. The procedure involves inserting the tube through the anus...