Preoperative fasting in neonates and pediatric patients can cause which complications?

Preoperative fasting in neonates and pediatric patients can cause which complications?

• A. Hypoglycemia and dehydration
• B. Hyperglycemia
• C. Hypertension
• D. Tachycardia

Answer: (A)

Neonates and young children are especially vulnerable to the effects of preoperative fasting because their energy and fluid reserves are small and their metabolism is rapid. When limits on intake are extended, plasma glucose can drop quickly since glycogen stores are limited and the brain relies on glucose for energy. This creates a real risk of hypoglycemia, which can cause irritability, lethargy, or more serious neurological effects if not detected and treated. At the same time, without oral fluids, total body water and intravascular volume can fall, leading to dehydration. In this age group, dehydration can develop quickly due to higher fluid turnover and greater insensible losses. Hyperglycemia is unlikely during fasting, and while dehydration and hypoglycemia can manifest with signs such as tachycardia, those are consequences or symptoms rather than primary complications of fasting itself. Hypertension is not a typical complication of preoperative fasting in this context. To minimize risk, clinicians follow age-appropriate fasting guidelines and monitor fluid status, providing IV fluids if fasting becomes prolonged.

Neonates and young children are especially vulnerable to the effects of preoperative fasting because their energy and fluid reserves are small and their metabolism is rapid. When limits on intake are extended, plasma glucose can drop quickly since glycogen stores are limited and the brain relies on glucose for energy. This creates a real risk of hypoglycemia, which can cause irritability, lethargy, or more serious neurological effects if not detected and treated. At the same time, without oral fluids, total body water and intravascular volume can fall, leading to dehydration. In this age group, dehydration can develop quickly due to higher fluid turnover and greater insensible losses.

Hyperglycemia is unlikely during fasting, and while dehydration and hypoglycemia can manifest with signs such as tachycardia, those are consequences or symptoms rather than primary complications of fasting itself. Hypertension is not a typical complication of preoperative fasting in this context. To minimize risk, clinicians follow age-appropriate fasting guidelines and monitor fluid status, providing IV fluids if fasting becomes prolonged.