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Minimum alveolar concentration for halothane in children with cerebral palsy and severe mental retardation
F J Frei1, M H Haemmerle, R Brunner
1Department of Anaesthesia, University Children's Hospital, Basel, Switzerland.
Insights
Children with cerebral palsy require lower concentrations of inhaled anesthetics. This study found significantly reduced minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) for halothane in children with cerebral palsy compared to healthy children.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology
- Pediatric Neurology
Background:
- Children with cerebral palsy and severe mental retardation often present for orthopedic surgery.
- Anesthetic requirements in this population are not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of halothane in children with cerebral palsy and severe mental retardation.
- To compare anesthetic requirements between children with and without cerebral palsy.
Main Methods:
- Halothane MAC was measured in 36 children and adolescents (aged 4-18 years) with cerebral palsy undergoing orthopedic surgery.
- Participants were divided into two groups: those on chronic anticonvulsant medication and those not on medication.
- A control group of 12 healthy children was included for comparison.
Main Results:
- Healthy children (control group) had a mean halothane MAC of 0.90 (0.02).
- Children with cerebral palsy had significantly lower MAC values, regardless of anticonvulsant medication use (0.62 (0.03) and 0.71 (0.10)).
Conclusions:
- Children with cerebral palsy and severe mental retardation exhibit reduced MAC for halothane.
- Lower anesthetic concentrations may be required for these children during surgery.
Abstract:
Children with cerebral palsy and severe mental retardation who present for operation may require lower concentrations of inhalational anaesthetics than healthy children. The minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) for halothane was measured in 36 children and adolescents, aged 4-18 years, who underwent orthopaedic surgery. The control group consisted of 12 healthy children (group 1). Children with cerebral palsy and severe mental retardation were allocated to one of two groups: those taking chronic anticonvulsant medication (group 2) (n = 12) and those who did not take any drugs (group 3) (n = 12). The mean (SEM) MAC value for halothane (expressed in volume per cent) was 0.90 (0.02) for healthy children. Children with cerebral palsy had significantly lower MAC values whether they took anticonvulsant drugs or not (0.62 (0.03) and 0.71 (0.10), respectively).