Pediatric Obesity and Anesthetic Morbidity

Abstract

SUMMARY T he rapidly increasing prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents is one of the most challenging dilemmas facing pediatric care professionals today. Childhood and adolescent obesity are important risk factors for adult obesity, with its consequent morbidity and mortality. Therefore, prevention and/or treatment of childhood and adolescent obesity offer the best hope of preventing adult obesity and its related morbidities. Overweight children become obese adults. Overweight and obesity are associated with serios medical, physiological, and social problems. A variety of adverse consequences are associated with being overweight in childhood or adolescence, Obese children are at high risk of diabetes mellitus type II, cardiovascular complications such as hypertension, tachycardia, arrhythmias, blood loss, and left ventricular failure. They are also at risk of respiratory complications such as hypoxemia, laryngospasm, obstructive sleep apnea, decrease in gas exchange, and decrease in the functional residual capacity in comparison with the non-obese ones. Increasing the rate of obesity among children is one of the most challenging dilemma facing pediatric care professionals today with its consequent morbidity and mortality, that is caused by a caloric intake that is greater than needed This essay also discusses the safest anesthetic techniques in those obese pediatrics, pre-operative assessment, intra-venous access, pre-medications, positioning, monitoring and management of complications intra and postoperative.