Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 13, 2026

Guidelines for Elective Pediatric Fiberoptic Intubation
11:19

Guidelines for Elective Pediatric Fiberoptic Intubation

Published on: January 17, 2011

18.3K

Is General Anesthesia Safe for a Child with Acute Upper Respiratory Tract Infection? A Narrative Review

Jowita Rosada-Kurasińska1, Alicja Bartkowska-Śniatkowska1, Anna Wiernik1

  • 1Department of Paediatric Anaesthesiology and Intensive Therapy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznań, Poland.

Pediatric Reports
|October 28, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Children undergoing anesthesia with recent respiratory infections face high complication risks. Waiting 2-4 weeks post-infection significantly lowers risks like bronchospasm, laryngospasm, and apnea for planned procedures.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Anesthesiology
  • Respiratory Medicine

Background:

  • Anesthesia in children with recent respiratory infections poses significant risks.
  • Common complications include bronchospasm, laryngospasm, and apnea.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of the interval between respiratory infection and anesthesia on complication rates.
  • To provide guidance for managing anesthesia in children with recent respiratory infections.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature and clinical guidelines.
  • Analysis of complication data based on timing of anesthesia relative to respiratory infection.

Main Results:

  • A delay of 2-4 weeks between the last infection symptom and anesthesia significantly reduces respiratory complication risks.
  • Unplanned or emergency anesthesia in infected children requires strict adherence to safety guidelines.

Conclusions:

  • Optimizing the timing of elective anesthesia is crucial for pediatric patient safety.
  • Specific protocols are needed for emergency anesthesia in children with active or recent respiratory infections.
Keywords:
acute respiratory infectionchildrengeneral anesthesia

More Related Videos

Anesthesia and Intubation of Preadolescent Mouse Pups for Cardiothoracic Surgery09:47

Anesthesia and Intubation of Preadolescent Mouse Pups for Cardiothoracic Surgery

Published on: June 2, 2022

2.7K
Halogenated Agent Delivery in Porcine Model of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome via an Intensive Care Unit Type Device09:36

Halogenated Agent Delivery in Porcine Model of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome via an Intensive Care Unit Type Device

Published on: September 24, 2020

3.1K

Related Concept Videos

General Anesthesia: Overview01:24

General Anesthesia: Overview

Anesthesia is a medical procedure that uses drugs for CNS suppression to enable painless surgeries and procedures. The selection of anesthetics is influenced by their pharmacokinetic properties, side effects, and patient characteristics. Various types of anesthesia include general, local, regional, spinal, and inhalational.
General anesthesia induces unconsciousness in the whole body, while the others target specific areas or sensations. It is administered to minimize adverse effects, maintain...
560
Inhalational Anesthetics: Overview01:20

Inhalational Anesthetics: Overview

Inhalation anesthetics are drugs that induce general anesthesia upon inhalation. They work by increasing the sensitivity of GABAA receptors or inhibiting NMDA receptors, leading to a decrease in central nervous system activity. The depth of anesthesia can be rapidly adjusted by changing the concentration of the inhaled gas. Some common examples of inhalational anesthetics include volatile liquids like isoflurane, desflurane, sevoflurane and gases like xenon and nitrous oxide. Isoflurane, a...
976
Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview01:24

Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview

Intravenous anesthetics are drugs administered parenterally to induce anesthesia or sedation. Propofol is a widely used agent formulated as a 1% emulsion in soybean oil, glycerol, and egg phosphatide. It induces rapid anesthesia primarily due to its rapid distribution from the bloodstream to target tissues and is metabolized in the liver. However, it can cause significant pain on injection and hypertriglyceridemia. Fospropofol, a water-based prodrug of propofol, lacks these adverse effects.
570
Drugs Used in Upper Respiratory Disorders: Overview01:16

Drugs Used in Upper Respiratory Disorders: Overview

Upper respiratory tract disorders, including viral infections and allergic rhinitis, cause significant discomfort and disrupt daily life. Managing these conditions involves a variety of drugs, such as antihistamines, intranasal steroids, decongestants, antitussives, expectorants, and mucolytics. Specific examples of drugs in each category are provided.
Antihistamines (e.g., Benadryl) block histamines from binding. Histamines are chemicals released during an allergic reaction in the body. As a...
619
Stages of General Anesthesia01:22

Stages of General Anesthesia

Various sedation levels offer significant advantages in facilitating procedural interventions for patients undergoing medical or invasive surgical procedures. These levels span from anxiolysis to general anesthesia, providing a spectrum of sedative effects to cater to specific patient needs. Anxiolysis reduces anxiety and is achieved through minimal sedation, enabling patients to remain awake and responsive while feeling more at ease during the procedure. This level can benefit minor...
1.5K
Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics01:23

Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics

Respiratory symptoms, such as congestion and cough, commonly accompany respiratory tract conditions. Various medications, such as antitussives, expectorants, and mucolytics, play crucial roles in providing relief.
Antitussives include codeine, dextromethorphan (Robitussin), and benzonatate (Tessalon). Codeine and dextromethorphan exert their effects centrally by suppressing the cough reflex center in the medulla.  Benzonatate operates peripherally within the respiratory tract by...
951