Infant Anesthesia Guideline

Guideline · Aug 2019 · 1 min read

In brief

Clinical guideline for anesthetic management of infants, covering preoperative assessment, drug dosing, airway management, and perioperative monitoring protocols specific to the neonatal and infant population.

Written by the GCMD Library team from the guideline.

Post-Operative Monitoring Criteria by Gestational Age

Infants born at less than 37 weeks gestational age require overnight post-operative monitoring if they are less than 60 weeks gestational age at the time of procedure. Infants born at 37 weeks or greater gestational age require overnight monitoring if they are less than 44 weeks gestational age at the time of procedure. All monitored infants should have continuous pulse oximetry, cardiac monitoring, and apnea monitoring ordered for overnight observation.

Statements in this guideline

Infants born at less than 37 weeks gestational age should be admitted post-operatively for monitoring overnight if they are less than 60 weeks gestational age at the time of the procedure.
Recommendation
Infants born at 37 weeks gestational age or greater should be admitted post-operatively for monitoring overnight if they are less than 44 weeks gestational age at the time of the procedure.
Recommendation
Apnea and bradycardia monitoring including continuous pulse oximetry, continuous cardiac monitor, and apnea monitor should be ordered for observation overnight.
Recommendation

Full text

Post-Operative Monitoring Guidelines for Infants Undergoing Procedures Admit post-operatively for monitoring overnight if <60 weeks gestational age at the time of the procedure. v2 Updated 5/2019Source:•Pang L, et al. Anesthesia for ex-premature infants and children. UpToDate. Literature review current through November 2018. <37 weeks gestational age≥37 weeks gestational age Admit post-operatively for monitoring overnight if <44weeksgestationalageat the time of the procedure. Apnea and bradycardia monitoring (continuous pulse ox, continuous monitor, apnea monitor) to be ordered for observation overnight.

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