American Society of Anesthesiologists is taking action to educate parents about the increased risk of complications faced by obese children undergoing anesthesia, according to an ASA release.
The number of obese children has doubled in the past two decades and tripled among adolescents. Anesthesia administration for children is complex because their airways are still developing and are more likely to collapse during administration. This risk is increased by obesity, meaning children and teenagers should ideally be as healthy as possible before a surgery.
According to the release, obese children have extra tissue surrounding their airway, chest and abdomen that can impair breathing while under anesthesia and limit the amount of oxygen they receive during surgery. This can mean impairment of lung function and other severe complications, including brain damage.
The ASA suggested the following tips for parents to improve their child's surgical outcomes:
• Make sure your child’s anesthesiologist has experience treating obese youth and learn about the specific risks involved.
• Help your child lose weight before the surgery. Even a small amount of weight loss can have a good impact on your child’s surgical outcome.
• Set reasonable short-term and long-term weight-loss goals. Consult with your pediatrician to establish a safe weight-loss program for your child, and discuss this program with your child’s anesthesiologist and surgeon to ensure it won’t interfere with the surgery.
• Encourage healthy eating both in and out of the house, before and after surgery.
• Encourage daily exercise before and after surgery, once approved by the surgeon, by signing your child up for team sports or after-school physical activities.
Read the ASA release on obese children and anesthesia.
Read more about anesthesia:
-6 Ways to Cut Anesthesia Costs in Your ASC
-12 Anesthesia Processes to Track and Benchmark
The number of obese children has doubled in the past two decades and tripled among adolescents. Anesthesia administration for children is complex because their airways are still developing and are more likely to collapse during administration. This risk is increased by obesity, meaning children and teenagers should ideally be as healthy as possible before a surgery.
According to the release, obese children have extra tissue surrounding their airway, chest and abdomen that can impair breathing while under anesthesia and limit the amount of oxygen they receive during surgery. This can mean impairment of lung function and other severe complications, including brain damage.
The ASA suggested the following tips for parents to improve their child's surgical outcomes:
• Make sure your child’s anesthesiologist has experience treating obese youth and learn about the specific risks involved.
• Help your child lose weight before the surgery. Even a small amount of weight loss can have a good impact on your child’s surgical outcome.
• Set reasonable short-term and long-term weight-loss goals. Consult with your pediatrician to establish a safe weight-loss program for your child, and discuss this program with your child’s anesthesiologist and surgeon to ensure it won’t interfere with the surgery.
• Encourage healthy eating both in and out of the house, before and after surgery.
• Encourage daily exercise before and after surgery, once approved by the surgeon, by signing your child up for team sports or after-school physical activities.
Read the ASA release on obese children and anesthesia.
Read more about anesthesia:
-6 Ways to Cut Anesthesia Costs in Your ASC
-12 Anesthesia Processes to Track and Benchmark