The effect of pre-anaesthetic fasting on blood glucose level in children undergoing surgery.

Blood glucose concentrations were measured in 104 children aged 6 months- 10 years (mean 3.1 years) undergoing inpatient anaesthesia. The mean fasting period was 10.87 +/- 2.68 hours. Mean preanaesthetic and 1/2 hour post-anaesthetic blood glucose levels were 4.8 +/- 0.8 and 6.1 +/- 1.9 mmoles/L respectively. Pre- anaesthetic low blood glucose level (2.7-3.3 mmoles/L) could only be detected in 3.8% cases. Post-anaesthetic increase in blood glucose level was the same as reported in adults.