Related Experiment Videos
Pre-operative fasting for paediatric anaesthesia. A survey of current practice
B M Emerson1, S R Wrigley, M Newton
1Royal Hospitals NHS Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital for Children, Whitechapel, London, UK.
Insights
Paediatric anaesthesia guidelines for pre-operative fasting are proposed. The study suggests 2-hour fasting for clear fluids and 4-6 hours for milk/solids for children undergoing elective surgery.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Anesthesiology
- Surgical Care
Background:
- Optimal pre-operative fasting times for pediatric anesthesia lack consensus.
- Recent debates highlight the need for standardized fasting guidelines for children undergoing elective surgery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish evidence-based guidelines for pediatric pre-operative fasting durations.
- To survey current practices and expert opinions among pediatric anesthesiologists.
Main Methods:
- A postal survey was conducted in 1995 targeting members of the Association of Pediatric Anesthetists in the UK and Ireland.
- 163 questionnaires were sent, with 131 (80%) returned and 110 (67%) completed.
Main Results:
- The majority of respondents found the following fasting times acceptable: Neonates: 2h (clear fluids), 4h (breast/formula milk). Infants: 2h (clear fluids), 4h (breast milk), 6h (formula milk/solids). Children: 2h (clear fluids), 6h (milk/solids).
Conclusions:
- The suggested fasting times provide a practical guideline for pre-operative fasting in pediatric anesthesia.
- Auditing these proposed guidelines is recommended to ensure their effectiveness and safety.
Abstract:
There has recently been much debate about pre-operative fasting for paediatric anaesthesia. There is no consensus about the optimum fasting times for children undergoing elective surgery. In order to establish a standard for paediatric pre-operative fasting times, we undertook a postal survey, targeting members of the Association of Paediatric Anaesthetists resident in the United Kingdom and Ireland in 1995. One hundred and sixty-three questionnaires were dispatched, 131 (80%) were returned and 110 (67%) were complete. The results show that the following guidelines for duration of fast are acceptable to the majority of respondents-neonates: 2 h for clear fluids, 4 h for breast and formula milk; infants: 2 h for clear fluids, 4 h for breast milk, 6 h for formula milk and solids; children: 2 h for clear fluids, 6 h for milk and solids. We suggest that these times be used as guidelines and audited for pre-operative fasting in paediatric anaesthesia.