The Child with an URTI for Anaesthesia

This article was published in Anesthesia and Analgesia in 2005;100:59-65


Click below to read the article. (May take 5 - 10 seconds to download).

Anesthesia for the Child with an Upper Respiratory Tract Infection: Still a Dilemma?


Summary:

Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are very common in the paediatric population. The decision to defer surgery depends on how urgent the surgery is and whether the child is ‘unwell’ with their URTI. Recent literature suggests that children presenting an uncomplicated URTI, who are afebrile with clear secretions and appear otherwise healthy should be able to undergo surgery.  Whereas children with more severe symptoms including mucopurulent secretions, productive cough, fever >38°C, lethargy, or pulmonary involvement should have their elective surgery postponed for a minimum of 4 weeks.

**  Remember to use the arrow button in the top left hand corner to navigate back to earlier pages on this website. Otherwise you may accidentally exit the AnaesthesiaCases website.