Anesthetic management in a pediatric patient with infantile phase Prader-Willi Syndrome: A case report

Area of Science:

• Genetics
• Pediatrics
• Anesthesiology

Background:

• Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a complex genetic disorder.
• PWS presents with infantile hypotonia, obesity, developmental delay, and hypogonadism.
• The syndrome has distinct infantile hypotonic and childhood obese phases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the anesthetic management of a pediatric patient with Prader-Willi syndrome.
• To emphasize the importance of avoiding muscle relaxants in infants with PWS.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a 5-month-old female infant with PWS.
• General anesthesia administered for excision of BCG lymphadenitis and a preauricular mass.
• Anesthetic plan specifically excluded the use of muscle relaxants.

Main Results:

• Successful anesthetic management was achieved without the use of muscle relaxants.
• The patient tolerated the procedure well under general anesthesia.
• No adverse postoperative events related to anesthesia were noted.

Conclusions:

• Anesthetic management in infants with Prader-Willi syndrome requires careful consideration of hypotonia.
• Avoiding muscle relaxants can be a safe and effective strategy in this patient population.
• This case supports cautious anesthetic planning for PWS patients.