Optimized fasting times improve the metabolic and hemodynamic condition during induction of anesthesia in children younger than 36 months of age.

After prolonged preoperative fasting, children younger than 36 months can present with ketoacidosis and (low) normal blood glucose concentrations. Actual fasting times should be optimised according to existing guidelines. In small infants, deviations from fasting guidelines should be as short as possible and not longer than 2 h.

The new forced-air warming system as a sole warming device is effective in preventing perioperative hypothermia during pediatric anesthesia in neonates and infants.

The results of the balloon experiment showed a high correlation between balloon antral area and balloon volume. In the preschool child measurements, gastric antral area correlated with fasting time, and the mean gastric emptying time was lower than 4 hours after breakfast. These results support a more liberal perioperative fasting regimen after a light meal or breakfast in routine pediatric anesthesia.

The study shows that the intraoperative use of an isotonic balanced electrolyte solution with 1% glucose and a mean infusion rate of 10 ml·kg(-1) ·h(-1) helps to avoid acid-base dysbalance, hyponatraemia, hypoglycemia, ketoacidosis, and hyperglycemia in surgical neonates. A careful intraoperative monitoring and adaptation of the infusion rate as needed is crucial because the glucose and fluid requirements may vary widely between subjects.